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 Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X 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.