Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

HARRIS HAWK.

335. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi. 20 inches.

This is a peculiar dark colored species; black under parts; lighter on the back; shoulders, thigh and under-wing coverts reddish brown; tail coverts, base and end of tail white. Bare space in front of eye, except for stiff hair like bristles, yellow, as is also the cere.

Nest.—Are made of twigs and weeds and placed usually in low trees. The three or four eggs are a dull white in color, faintly specked with a few spots of brownish (2.10 × 1.65).

Range.—Southern California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.

WESTERN RED-TAIL.

337b. Buteo borealis calurus. 21 inches.

This bird varies greatly in its coloration; from the same as the eastern form to a sooty color above and below, with the dark red tail crossed by several bands, where the eastern bird has only one broad band.

Nest.—Placed for choice in evergreen trees at heights from the ground varying from 30 to 50 feet. Two to four eggs, white, usually spotted and blotched with different shades of brown (2.35 × 1.80).