Red-tailed Hawk -- "Harlan's" Variety

(Buteo jamaicensis harlani)

Arrived at Lakeside Nature Center on February 1, 1990.

We know this hawk is female because she began laying eggs in May, 2001.

The Harlan's Hawk was found perching on a car ... was brought to Lakeside Nature Center.  The initial diagnosis was that the bird was very weak, but had no obvious injuries.  Once she gained some strength, she readily perched on the gloved hand of a naturalist.  This was a sign that this bird was accustomed to being handled by people.  The LNC naturalists then attributed the initial weakness to malnutrition.  She had been raised by people, then released to the wild without learning hunting skills from her own species.  "Socialized" with people, this bird is comfortable around humans, but does not respond to them as potential mates or as invaders of her territory.

The Harlan's hawk was once considered a separate species from the red-tailed hawk because of the color differences.  The red-tailed hawk has a white chest, dark belly streaking and a cinnamon red tail.

Check out this hawk's picture gallery.

For more information onred-tailed hawks, check out the Critter Corner entry.