Harris's Hawk

[The Rachel]

The bird was seen sitting in the middle of a telephone wire between two poles, on hwy 635 and Belt line Rd. This was on Saturday. Unfortunately I've just not been able to get onto the computer till now to post it.
Dark brown all over, saw the yellow on the face, dark front, white rump when it flew, which was seen by Charley Amos. I did get photos of the bird which at some point I'll post but they were really zoomed in from a distance by the time we could pull over to get a camera shot. I know its late reporting this but just wanted to in case anyone needed as a lifer. Nice looking bird.

[Mary Lee]

I checked out the area by I-635 and Belt Line Rd in the cities of Coppell and Irving late this morning but had no luck in finding the Harris's Hawk.

[Administrator]

Be sure to check the legs for bands and jesses. The Harris hawk is one of the most common falconry birds around and it could be an escapee.

[The Rachel]

Hi Bob,
Possibility of it being a falconers bird is always a possibility. I could not see any bading on its legs at the time and unfortunatly the photos I have are not that good, being taken across the highway and through heat haze.
I've posted the 4 (crappy) photos I took of it.

[Administrator]

What is it sitting on in the pictures?

[Mary Lee]

Where are the photos posted?

[Birder 13]

that's what i wanted to know too. but click on her name and go to her profile and they are there. c.

[Charley]

Bob, in Rachel's pics the bird is sitting on an interstate hwy sign. I actually saw the bird again Monday about 4:15 on my way home. He was sitting on a light pole in the vacant lot just west of Beltline rd. and on the North side of IH 635. I had no binos with me so I couldn't really check for banding. Plus the traffic was... well, let's just say it was heavy.

[Chris Davis]

A flaconer reported that Hawk to me on the 12 June, but it was about a mile south at 114 and Beltline. A pair of Red-Tailed Hawks nest by that intersection and drove the Harris' off to the East. I arrived 20 minutes later and could not locate it, but the pair of Red-Tails were circling that field and calling angrily, so I suspect the Harris was still there pinned down in a group of Mesquites out in that field. The guy that originally saw it said it had no equipment and no one has reported a missing Hawk. The metal bands that are on captive bred Hawks are gold and are difficult to see on a yellow leg.

[gail]

Just wanted to update this thread since this hawk was posted to texbirds. In case you are thinking it is countable, please see Chris' previous post.

[troy & martha]

Do you really think this is the same hawk as the one that escaped the falconer?

The south side of Haltom City (Hway 121) is a long way from 635 and Beltline. I know hawks can travel long distances, but typically they stay in one general area to hunt.

Of course, this is just supposition. I was so surprised when I saw it swoop above our vehicle, that I didn't think to look for leg bands.
Martha

[Administrator]

When did you see it last?