Mega (but dead) rarity – Harris’s Hawk

On Wednesday afternoon, I received a call from a Mr. Barber who mentioned that his wife found a dead hawk in southern Lancaster County on Friday, 26 October.  Not exceptional by itself, except Mr. Barber’s wife noted that it had an atypical appearance.  Luckily, a couple pictures were taken and Mr. Barber passed along the photos to a local falconer who immediately recognized the bird as a Harris’s Hawk.  The falconer also recommend contacting me and I am so grateful Mr. Barber did!   Harris’s Hawks are found in the southwestern United States and into Mexico, but occasionally wander north.  If accepted, this will be Nebraska’s third record.  The other records are from near Elkhorn in 1922 and near Scottsbluff in 1997.  Harris’s Hawks are occasionally kept by falconers, so there is the possibility that this bird is not a natural vagrant.  However, looking at the photos, there are no clear signs (e.g., jesses, bands) of captivity.  Unfortunately, the carcass is not recoverable.