The Raptor Free Fight Show is an amazing opportunity to see dessert raptors up close, in the wild, with amazing photography opportunities. This open-air demonstration is unlike any zoo exhibit you’ve ever seen. Here, the raptors/birds of prey like hawks, owls, and eagles take flight completely untethered. These magnificent creatures showcase their natural abilities amongst the stunning Sonoran Desert backdrop. We first attended the Raptor Free Flight last year.
The show is not just visually captivating; it’s also incredibly informative. A knowledgeable narrator provides details about each raptor, from their hunting techniques and adaptations to their vital role in the desert ecosystem. What’s truly awe-inspiring is the feeling of these powerful birds soaring just above your head. You can feel the rush of wind as they make a close pass, a reminder of their raw power and agility. The Raptor Free Flight Show is a breathtaking display of nature, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for these feathered predators.
Harris’s Hawk, Raptor Free Flight Show
Harris’s hawks, also known as “wolf hawks” for their cooperative hunting style, are fascinating birds of prey native to the Americas. They are not solitary hawks, Harris’s hawks are highly social. They live in groups called cooperative breeding units, which can include breeding pairs, offspring from previous years, and even unrelated individuals. Everyone works together to raise young and hunt for food.
They are famous for their hunting strategies. They work together to flush out prey, take turns chasing it, and then swoop in for the kill. This teamwork allows them to take down larger prey than they could tackle alone. It’s amazing to see them interact during the show.
Harris’s hawks exhibit a breeding behavior called cooperative breeding. Multiple females within the group may lay eggs in the same nest, and all members of the group help with incubation and raising the chicks. This communal effort increases the chances of chick survival.
Harris’s hawks are medium-sized raptors with a striking appearance. They have dark brown plumage with reddish-brown shoulders and thighs. Their tails are mostly dark with a white base and white tip, and their long legs are yellow.
These hawks are primarily found in the southwestern United States, Mexico and Central and South America. They favor semi-open desert habitats with scattered trees and cacti, which provide them with excellent hunting perches.
Due to their intelligence, trainability and social nature, Harris’s hawks are popular choices for falconers. They can be trained to assist with hunting small game and controlling pest populations.
Thankfully, Harris’s hawks are listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, populations in the southwestern United States have declined due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting their desert homes.
Crested Caracara, Raptor Free Flight Show
The crested caracara, also sometimes called the Mexican eagle, is a bird of prey with a surprising mix of traits. While it might look like a hawk, the crested caracara is actually a falcon – albeit a rather unconventional one. Unlike their sleek, speedy falcon cousins, caracaras are more stocky and vulture-like in appearance.
Crested caracaras are unmistakable with their bold black and white plumage. They have a prominent black cap contrasting with a white neck and yellow-orange facial skin. Their long legs are also a vibrant yellow-orange, adding another splash of color. Their namesake feature is the impressive crest of feathers on their heads. This crest can be raised or lowered depending on the caracara’s mood or activity.
Crested caracaras are opportunistic eaters, not picky predators. They’ll happily scavenge for carrion alongside vultures, but they’ll also hunt small animals like lizards, snakes and rodents. They’ve even been known to steal food from other birds. These adaptable birds are found throughout Central and South America, including Tierra del Fuego. They’ve also made themselves at home in parts of Mexico, the southern United States, and there’s even an isolated population in the Falkland Islands. Crested caracaras thrive in a variety of open or semi-open habitats, from grasslands and deserts to beaches and even around human settlements.
Unlike most falcons that lay their eggs on the ground or use abandoned nests, crested caracaras are the only falcon species known to build their own nests. They gather sticks and other materials to construct a platform high in a tree, a testament to their family-oriented nature. The crested caracara is a familiar sight in the Sonoran Desert, where it’s a popular bird among birdwatchers.
Great Horned Owl
The desert great horned owl, a subspecies of the great horned owl, is a magnificent predator perfectly adapted to the harsh beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Unlike their more typically brown or rufous colored cousins, desert great horned owls sport a lighter plumage. This pale coloration, often described as grayish-brown or sandy, blends seamlessly with the desert landscape, providing excellent camouflage for hunting and avoiding detection.
With their superior night vision and exceptional hearing, desert great horned owls are perfectly equipped for nighttime hunting. Their large yellow eyes can see in extremely low light conditions, and their facial disc feathers act like satellite dishes, funneling sound waves towards their ears, allowing them to pinpoint prey with incredible accuracy.
Desert great horned owls have specially adapted feathers that muffle the sound of their wings as they fly. This silent flight allows them to swoop down on unsuspecting prey without warning.
These opportunistic predators have a varied diet that reflects the desert’s available prey. They’ll readily hunt small mammals like kangaroo rats, cottontail rabbits and even scorpions. They will also take down prey like snakes, lizards and other birds.
Desert great horned owls don’t waste time building their own nests. They’ll readily take over abandoned nests of other large birds like hawks and ravens. They will also use giant saguaro cactus. This opportunistic approach allows them to focus their energy on hunting and raising their young.
The desert great horned owl is a beloved resident of the Sonoran Desert. Their haunting hoots echoing through the desert night are a reminder of the desert’s wild beauty.
Chihuahuan Raven
The Chihuahuan Raven, a resident of the hot, dry landscapes of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, is a fascinating bird with some unique adaptations for desert life.
Smaller than its cousin the Common Raven, the Chihuahuan Raven is perfectly sized for navigating the open grasslands and scrublands of its desert home. This allows it to maneuver more easily and hunt effectively in these treeless environments.
Nicknamed the “white-necked raven” in the past, the Chihuahuan Raven has a subtle but interesting feature. The feathers at the base of its neck are actually white, although this is only visible when the feathers are ruffled, such as during strong winds.
While ravens are known for their intelligence and social behavior, Chihuahuan Ravens can be a bit more independent. They’re often seen in pairs or small flocks, but unlike Common Ravens, they don’t typically form large gatherings. However, during winter, they might come together in larger numbers, especially near food sources.
The Chihuahuan Raven avoids both dense forests and extremely arid deserts, preferring the open spaces of grasslands and shrublands with scattered trees or cacti. This habitat provides them with hunting perches and nesting sites, while also offering access to the prey they rely on.
Chihuahuan Ravens are highly intelligent birds. They’re quick learners and resourceful when it comes to finding food. They’ll readily scavenge for carrion, hunt small animals like lizards and insects, and will raid bird feeders or agricultural fields.
Unlike ravens that typically nest in trees or cliffs, Chihuahuan Ravens have adapted to the lack of these features in their desert habitat. They’ve become adept at building their nests on man-made structures like utility poles, windmills, and even abandoned buildings.
The presence of Chihuahuan Ravens is a good indicator of a healthy desert ecosystem. Their role as scavengers and predators helps to control populations of rodents and insects, and their intelligence and adaptability make them an important part of the desert’s biodiversity.
