Harris' Hawk in Illinois

According to the Peregrine Fund's web site, Harris' hawks -- also Harris's hawks -- (parabuteo unicinctus) "are found in semiarid habitats like savannas, chaparrals, scrub prairies, and mesquite and saguaro deserts," none of which describes Illinois that I know of. Indeed, "they range from the southwestern United States through Central America and into much of the drier habitats in South America."

Thus the hawk's handler at the pow-wow, a member of S.O.A.R., told us that you aren't likely to see one in metro Chicago, and for good geographic reasons. I'm pretty sure I hadn't seen one. Mice and other small creatures of our area ought to be glad, since the bird had some wicked-looking talons. I'm probably just projecting, but it also looked like one determined bird, which is fitting for a bird of prey.

"The bird was named by John James Audubon after his friend Edward Harris," the site continues. "This hawk has also been called a Bay-winged hawk and Dusky hawk." I'm impressed. Audubon himself named it.

The bird was a hit with the kids. (Ann isn't one of these girls, but she did see the bird, as did Lilly.)

The other bird in the photo is a bald eagle, tethered temporarily to the ground. That, according to various sources, is "Deshka the American Bald Eagle."