You Make The Diagnosis: Hawk Found In Southeast Arizona

Last month, I toured the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson.  During the free-flight raptor show, I took these pictures of a beautiful hawk.  Name this Arizona Hawk and the large cactus behind it.

 

Diagnosis:  Gray Hawk

This is a female Gray Hawk, a tropical hawk that is between 14 and 18 inches in length with bright yellow cere and feet.  They live along streams lines by cottonwood trees where they eat small lizards, rodents and birds.  Gray Hawks are most often found along the coasts of Mexico but some migrate into southeastern Arizona to breed in the summer.

The giant cactus behind the hawk is a saguaro cactus.  If your travel takes you to Tucson, I highly recommend a trip to the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum.  The free-flight raptor show is one the best I have ever seen.   

Published by kristennelsondvm

Dr. Kristen Nelson grew up on a farm in Watertown, Minn., where she developed a deep love for animals of all kinds. She received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. Kris then completed a small-animal internship at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in New York City. In addition to writing and speaking, she cares for small and exotic animals in Scottsdale, Az. Dr. Nelson is widely quoted in the media. Her credits include Ladies’ Home Journal, USA TODAY, the Los Angeles Times and numerous radio and television interviews. Dr. Nelson has written two books, Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life and Coated With Fur: A Blind Cat’s Love. Kris and her husband Steve share their home with rescued cats, birds and a dog.