Harris Hawks

 

Does an immature harris hawk seen in phoenix look black with a white tip to the tail and white on back of its belly?

 Yes, an immature Harris's Hawk in Phoenix matches that description, though their appearance is more streaked than solid black. While adults are a solid dark chocolate brown (often appearing black), immature birds have patchy white or buff streaking on their bellies and chests. Their tails are dark with a white tip (terminal band) and a white base (rump), similar to adults but often with a narrower or paler white band. Identification Marks for Immature Harris's Hawks Belly/Underparts: Heavily streaked with white, cream, or buff. Some can appear nearly as dark as adults, but most show a much lighter, "patchy" underside. Tail: Mostly dark/black with a distinct white tip and white base. Immatures may also show fine dark barring across the tail. Shoulders and Thighs: Even as juveniles, they show the species' signature reddish-brown (rufous) patches on their shoulders and legs, which helps distinguish them from other hawks. Wings: In flight, you may see pale or white patches near the wingtips. 

they are commonly seen on telephone poles and in tall trees, often preying on pigeons. Would you like to know about other similar-looking hawks in the Phoenix area, like the Swainson's Hawk? 

 i never saw one on the ground before, two adults perched in bush nearby as it hopped up and down on the ground playing with a bug or something. after maybe ten minutes it flew to a roof.

 That behavior is classic Harris's Hawk. Unlike most other raptors, they are highly social and often hunt or hang out in family groups—which explains the two adults "babysitting" while the youngster practiced its skills. Immature hawks are notoriously curious and clumsy. What you saw was likely "play-hunting." Young hawks will pounce on insects, sticks, or dried cow dung to sharpen the coordination they'll need for bigger prey like rabbits or lizards later on. A few reasons they are so comfortable on the ground: Social Security: Because the adults were perched nearby acting as sentinels, the juvenile felt safe enough to focus on the ground. Group Hunting: Harris's Hawks are the "wolves of the sky"; they are one of the few raptor species that hunt cooperatively on the ground, sometimes even flushing prey out of bushes for each other. Urban Adaptability: In Phoenix, they’ve become very bold around houses and roofs, treating suburban yards like their personal training grounds. Did you notice if the adults were making any harsh, rasping screams while the young one was on the ground? more like loud peeps The "loud peeps" you heard were likely "Chirp Calls," which Harris's Hawks use specifically for social communication within their family groups. While most hawks are famous for harsh screams, the social nature of Harris's Hawks leads to a much wider variety of softer, communicative sounds. Why they were "peeping" Coordination: Adult Harris's Hawks often use these peeps or chirps to coordinate movement and stay connected with each other while hunting or watching over juveniles. Anticipation: These rhythmic strings of 5–10 "peep" notes are frequently heard when birds are anticipating a food delivery or prey exchange. Juvenile Development: Younger birds are especially vocal; they make weak peeping calls and loud, plaintive "food-begging" screams to solicit attention from the adults. The Harris's Hawk "Language" Unlike the solitary Red-tailed Hawk, which mostly just screams to defend territory, the Harris's Hawk has a complex "vocabulary" including: Low Burrs/Purrs: Sounds used when the group is relaxed and hanging out together. The Alarm Call: A long, grating 3-second scream used only when they feel threatened by an intruder. Chirps and Peeps: The sounds you heard, which function almost like a "check-in" to reveal their location to partners. What you witnessed—two adults watching a juvenile practice on the ground—is a perfect example of their unique cooperative family structure.