During 1979 and 1980, thirty-four (34) Harris' Hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus superior) were released along the lower Colorado River. The program's goal is to re-establish a historic population that vanished in the mid 1950's. Methods were developed for the release of captive reared eyasses and juvenals; and for mature hawks from breeding chambers, rehabilitation facilities, and falconers. Methods include hacking and cross fostering captive reared eyas Harris' hawks with resident red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) parents. Each hawk was banded with a specific color band configuration for identification purposes. An aluminum lock-on band was included in the configuration for long-term identification. Telemetry transmitters were tail-mounted on selected individuals.
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