On 15 June 1976 the authors observed interactions between a Harris’ Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) and a Badger (Taxidea taxus) that have not previously been reported. The incident occurred along State Highway 385, 51 km south of Marathon, Brewster County, Texas, at 0745 on a clear calm day. The area is open ranchland dominated by scattered Honey Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) and Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata). A metal watering trough and windmill are situated 25 m off the west side of the highway. Although no cows were present at the time, the ground was trampled and bare, except for the numerous dung piles within a radius of approximately 20 m of the trough.
Initially we were attracted to the scene when the Harris’ Hawk flew from the road shoulder to the area of the watering trough as our car approached. We stopped and got out of the car to view the hawk through binoculars. It was then that we saw the Badger.