Description: This is a large hawk with a long tail and broad wings. Harris's Hawk ranges in size from 18 to 23 inches in length and has a wingspan of 40 to 47 inches Adult plumage is chocolate brown with distinct reddish shoulders, upper and under wing coverts, and leg feathers. The tail is dark with white band.

Habitat: The Harris's Hawk can be found in semi open habitats in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, from Baja California, to southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, extending south through Central and South America to Chile and just into Patagonia. 

Diet: In its natural environment the diet of the Harris Hawk appears to eat mainly small to medium sized rodents - rats, mice etc. It is also known to take birds - often in flight - and lizards. It can take mammals up to the size of a full-grown rabbit.

Reproduction: The Harris's Hawk builds its nest made of sticks, weeds, twigs, and are usually lined with soft mosses, grasses and roots. Between two and four eggs are laid between late February and March. Females have the ability to breed all year long and can lay two to three clutches within a year. The incubation period takes about 35 days and the males often share duties with the female during this period. Fledging occurs after another 40 days. The young birds tend to stay around the nest area for two to three months longer. These hawks have been known to have several mates at a time. Harris's Hawks practice cooperative breeding, with family members helping with building nests, incubation, feeding, and defending the nest.

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