Harris hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

Natural diet Harris hawk

Harris hawks are opportunistic carnivores that feed on a wide variety of prey such as rodents, reptiles, small mammals, birds and insects. They are known to hunt cooperatively in groups, which is unique among the birds of prey.

Insects
Insects
Vertebrates
Vertebrates

Feeding advice Harris hawk

Feed quantity per day

6-10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 1 kg and eats 8% of its body weight, it will get
 
1 x 0,08 = 0,08 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Meat and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0,99 x 0,08 kg = 79 g meat and whole prey
0,01 x 0,08 kg = 1 g supplements


Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of prey

Whole prey

Supplements

Not recommended

Live prey


Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Amyloidosis
  • Bumblefoot
  • Molting Disorders
  • Obesity

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over one feeding moment per day.
  • When feeding thawed whole prey, then supplementation is recommended.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using stacking or hanging the prey. Another method is to feed whole prey (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).