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Hawks and Eagles: Accipitridae

Hawks, Eagles, And People

Thousands of years ago, hawks and eagles were admired for their hunting skills and were even thought of as messengers of the gods. As early as 4,000 years ago, captive hawks were used as hunters to catch rabbits and other animals for their trainers. In modern times, some people kill hawks that are suspected of harming farm animals, but many other people enjoy watching them in their local habitats and on their long migrations.

SKY WOLVES

Groups of birds are usually called flocks, but Harris's hawks act more like a pack of wolves. As many as six hawks fly in a line. When the one in front spots prey, it swoops to kill it. If the prey gets away, the next one in line swoops down. They take turns until the prey is tired and easily caught. Then they all eat together. Sometimes the birds attack their prey from different directions all at once. If the prey escapes under a bush, one hawk will crawl in and scare it out so the others can catch it. Together, the "pack" can catch a jackrabbit that weighs twice as much as a Harris's hawk.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceBirdsHawks and Eagles: Accipitridae - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Hawks, Eagles, And People, Conservation Status, Osprey (pandion Haliaetus): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET