Harris’s Hawks tend to prefer small trees or huge saguaro cacti for their nests. Two males and a female cooperate to raise the young in their bulky nests. Their sociability carries into courtship with the formation of triads when nesting. It has been suggested that the larger the hunting group the longer the lifespan of its members. They have been known to hunt in groups of up to seven and will share their kill with their hunting partners. The Harris’s Hawk hunts through active pursuit of its prey, chasing it around the dry foliage of the bush. The tail is white at the base and leading edge with a single dark band in-between. The body and underparts are dark with reddish shoulders and inner leading edges of the wings. This is a large hawk with long legs and broad, rounded wings. South Central Texas, Eastern Texas (uncommon), Central Texas (uncommon) Identifying Marks This large and oddly sociable hawk prefers country that is dry and open, such as the mesquite brushland found in Texas and Mexico.

They prefer to build high up in leafy trees. They will use squirrel nests or whatever is available for a foundation for their bulky nests. Once paired, the male will spend a month keeping the female fed before the eggs are laid. When courting, both males and females will fly with slow and exaggerated flapping of their wings to attract a mate. Moving from cover to cover, it will sneak within range and then pounce with a short powerful flight to its victim before it even knows it is in danger. The Cooper’s Hawk is an aggressive predator that uses stealth to actively stalk its prey. Thick reddish barring throughout the leading edges of its broad wings and black and white barring on the flight feathers make this hawk easy to pick out. The blue-gray top feathers mix with a black cap and pale undersides. The heavily hooked bill and red eyes of the Cooper’s Hawk stand out at close quarters. LocationĮastern Texas, Western Texas, Central Texas (winter) Identifying Marks Backyard bird feeders are the bait piles of the Cooper’s Hawk world. Not because they like the birdseed but because they like to hunt other birds. This medium sized hawk likes to hang out in backyards, especially when there are bird feeders. These species spend most of their time in Texas and can be found throughout the year. A few species have only been spotted in specific areas and would be considered a rare find.īelow is a guide to help you identify these hawks, where to go to find them, and the best time of year to catch seasonal visitors. Just five species are native to the region while 13 others are migratory and only visit the Lonestar State to escape the winter, or for the purpose of breeding. There have been 18 different species of hawks in Texas with documented sightings. They are grace and power made flesh and viewing them is always a gift.

Your head tilts back and everything disappears except for the slow flight of one of nature’s most beautiful predators. Spotting a hawk in flight is a mesmerizing experience that even non-birdwatchers know well. In this article, we’re taking a look at hawks in Texas that you can commonly see patrolling the skies in the lone star state. They live mostly on hunting small mammals and birds and can often be seen circling high in the sky or perched on a high post as they search the ground for their prey. Adults continue to feed them for at least 8 weeks after hatching.Hawks are predatory birds from the family Accipitridae which they share with eagles and kites. Young may climb out of nest onto nearby branches at age about 4 weeks, may make first flights at about 5 weeks. At first, may feed young mostly insects, regurgitated into nest may bring larger prey later. Adults continue to feed them for at least 8 weeks after hatching.īoth parents care for the young, brooding them in cool weather and shading them at mid-day. Young: Both parents care for the young, brooding them in cool weather and shading them at mid-day.

Incubation is by both parents, 29-31 days.

Also scavenges road-killed animals at times (this may account for occasional large rodents or turtles in diet).ġ-2. Sometimes catches insects that have been flushed from the grass by herds of grazing animals or by fire. Pursues bats and flying birds (such as swallows and swifts) in the air. Sometimes flies out from a perch to catch passing insects. Also skims low to catch prey on or near the ground. Catches many large flying insects high in the air in graceful maneuvers, often then holding these in one foot and eating them while soaring.

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