News Animals Hawk skin sends UV signal By Susan Milius February 7, 2006 at 1:38 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print The patch of skin above a hawk’s beak just looks orange-yellow to us, but to another hawk, it may broadcast ultraviolet (UV) sex appeal. BETWEEN THE EYES. The bare skin just above the beak of this male Montagu’s harrier reflects ultraviolet light. Mougeot/Biol. Let. For the first time, researchers have shown that this bit of skin, called a cere, strongly reflects light in the UV range.