Harris' Hawk blog: Largest living snake dies

Fluffy, a gigantic and gentle reticulated python at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, died last night due to an apparent tumor, the zoo said in a news statement accompanying these photos.

"The eighteen-year-old snake was 24 feet (7.3 meters) long and 300 pounds (136 kilograms) and held the title of longest snake by Guinness World Records," the zoo added.

It is a sad day in the reptile world. Read the rest here.

Who Are the Birds

Tess and Gonzo are both 5 year old Harris' Hawks.

I've had Gonzo since he was a young hawk and he came to me from Dave Mancini. He is a great bird who has been car hawked at different birds, flown from trees at squirrel and rabbit, and flown from a T-perch. He is a wonderfully efficient hunter that hunts in the 650 gram range.

Tess came to me by way of Wes Collins breeding project. She is a direct descendant of the Coulsins' famous White wing. I just acquired her for the 2008-09 hunting season. Her previous owner flew her extensively from the car at starlings, geese, and crows. She has been great at squirrels and has a ridiculously calm disposition. She flies between 900 - 950 grams.