The only hawk in Iberá that regularly hunts in cooperative family groups. The adult has dark brown plumage with bright reddish-chestnut shoulders and thighs, and a white tail base and undertail coverts. Juveniles are streaked and paler. The bill is hooked and yellow at the base. It measures 46 to 59 cm with a wingspan of 100 to 120 cm. Least Concern, with stable populations.
Behaviour
Its cooperative hunting system is its most fascinating feature: groups of 2 to 6 individuals coordinate the harrying of a prey animal, taking turns in the pursuit to wear it down. It hunts hares, rabbits, large tinamous and tegu lizards. It builds large stick nests in cacti or thorny trees.
How and when to see it
Year round. Most frequently spotted in the grassland and thorn-scrub areas of Portal Mburucuyá and San Nicolás.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where harris's hawk has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where harris's hawk lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Jurassic Plant - Night Tour
The only carnivorous-plant garden in Argentina and a pioneer in Latin America. A guided…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameHarris's Hawk
- Scientific nameParabuteo unicinctus
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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