Stax came to HawkWatch International (HWI) from a falconer. Stax hatched in the wild and, after fledging and learning to hunt but still while less than one year old, the falconer legally caught him to use for falconry. While on a hunt, Stax was taking down a rabbit and broke his leg. The injury healed, but the falconer and a veterinarian determined that the risk of re-injury was too high for Stax to continue to hunt. HWI added Stax to our Education Special Use permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2024. Stax will be part of the education team as a Raptor Ambassador, and we will take care of him for the rest of his life.

Stax is named for Harris’s Hawks’ back-stacking behavior. They perch on top of each other when perching options are limited. The extra height also gives them a better view while looking for prey. Harris’s Hawks have been seen stacked from 2-5 birds high!