Harris's hawk: incubation period, weaning age and breeding
Harris's hawk eggs hatch after 31–36 days of incubation. Chicks fledge at 40–45 days and are weaned and independent at about 100 days. A typical clutch is 2–4 eggs.
Breeding numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Adult weight (g) | 546-1633 |
| Male weight (g) | 546-878 |
| Female weight (g) | 766-1633 |
| Length (cm) | 46-59 |
| Wing chord (mm) | m 300-340, f 340-375 |
| Clutch size | 2-4 |
| Incubation (days) | 31-36 |
| Fledging (days) | 40-45 |
| Weaning / independence (days) | ~100 |
| Lifespan (years) | 15-25 |
| Breeding season | Wild: almost year-round, main spring. Captive: spring, may lay 2-3 clutches; colony-tolerant, can breed in groups. |
| Sexing | Female ~40% heavier; DNA for certainty. |
| Moult | Moult April-Sept; keep fit as it is flown off-season too. |
| Quarry | Rabbits, hare, crows, gamebirds; social pack hunting. |
| Gulf heat tolerance | 4/5 - Sonoran desert bird, good in heat with shade. |
| Temperament | Sociable, calm, very trainable; most popular hawk worldwide for beginners. |
| Disease prevention | Prevention: aspergillosis (stress, poor ventilation; accipiters very prone), bumblefoot, frounce (pigeon feeding), lead (shot quarry), coccidiosis in young birds. Vet for treatment. |
| Identification features | Dark chocolate body, chestnut shoulders and thighs, white tail base and white tip, yellow cere/legs; juvenile streaked pale below. |
Origin: South-west USA to South America — Scientific name: Parabuteo unicinctus
Size: 46-59 cm, 546-1633 g
Breeding and care tips
The world's most popular falconry hawk for beginners; social and hunts in groups. Tolerates desert heat better than the goshawk. Breeds readily in captivity.
Description
Dark brown with chestnut shoulders and thighs and a white-tipped tail.
Need the exact date? Use the egg hatch calculator and the weaning age chart.
Related species
- Gyrfalcon
- Saker falcon
- Peregrine falcon
- Barbary falcon
- Lanner falcon
- Laggar lugger falcon
- Prairie falcon
- Aplomado falcon
Frequently asked questions
How long do Harris's hawk eggs take to hatch?
Harris's hawk eggs hatch after 31-36 days of incubation.
How many eggs does a Harris's hawk lay?
Usually 2-4 eggs per clutch.
When do Harris's hawk chicks leave the nest?
Chicks fledge at about 40-45 days old.
When are Harris's hawk chicks weaned?
They are weaned and independent at about ~100 days.
What is the Harris's hawk breeding season?
Wild: almost year-round, main spring. Captive: spring, may lay 2-3 clutches; colony-tolerant, can breed in groups.
How do you tell a male Harris's hawk from a female?
Female ~40% heavier; DNA for certainty.
How long does a Harris's hawk live?
About 15-25 years with good care.