Zoo database

Harris hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

Natural diet Harris hawk

Insects
Vertebrates

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.

Feeding advice Harris hawk

Feed quantity per day

6-10% of body weight

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 products and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 0.08 kg = 79.2 g meat products and whole prey
0.01 x 0.08 kg = 0.8 g supplements

Diet suggestions

Not recommended

Live prey

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).

Common diseases

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

Metabolic bone disease
Amyloidosis
Bumblefoot
Molting Disorders
Obesity

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

Carnizoo

DK Whole Prey Supplement

Eintagsküken (Schwarzer Karton)

Kleine Ratte (90-150 g)

Kaninchen XS (200-300 g) - 35 St./Karton

Michiel Derks

Director Petfood & Zoos