Yogi

The heaviest Harris that I have ever flown was 32 ounces. That is 912 grams. She later in the year would fly at weights up to 36 ounces, but while she would remain with me, she would rarely come to the fist at that weight. It remains to be seen what Yogi's final flying weight will be. She is however the biggest Harris that I have so far seen. She is indeed a very strong bird, time will tell what kind of a hunter she will be. If Pud and Yogi do get along and work together, as Harris's normally do, one can compliment the others style and ability to become a serious force for the rabbit world to deal with.

I talked to Justin again last night, to assure him that she had arrived in good shape. He had her in a flight pen for at least a month, and when he picked her up, she did have juvenile secondaries and flight feathers. She has since completed her moult. As you can see from her cere and feet, she has had very good food in the time that she has been flying free. Most likely bugs, and lizards with an occasional bunny thrown in. Apparently she had come on tough times when she began "harassing" campers, thus the Mantling and screaming behavior that Justin witnessed. She, at her current weight, does not feel that desperate now. It remains to be seen what her behavior will be as I get her to flying weight.

The picture here shows the difference in size. So far there has been no reaction from Yogi, while Pud is screaming a bit more even without the influence of Yogi. I am bringing Puds weight up with the colder weather, Perhaps I will bring her even higher over the next few days to see how much she can tolerate. It seems to be natural for captive bred Harris Hawks to be vocal. Thankfully it is merely annoying rather than debilitating as in Peregrines or Prairies. Pud has been calling even with most of a Bunny in her crop.

If you were wondering if I knew that Yogi Bear was a boy, yes I did. One of the things that I learned early in life is that things valued too much, often could not live up to expectations. Fancy names could not change inadequate performance. Most often the fancier and more pretentious the name the lousier the hunter. Besides, I can think of no female that made a living holding up tourists. Names are tough, it needs to be something that can be said as if it were a "cuss word", or in admiration depending on the circumstances.