POLICE are hunting two men who killed a prized bird of prey.

Geordie, a four-year-old Harris hawk, was shot with an air rifle as his owner, Terry Warne, was exercising him near his home in Darlington.

The bullet shattered the hawk's leg and he was rushed to a specialist vet in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, but later died from shock.

Harris hawks are native of the Americas, and can live for up to 24 years in captivity.

PC Julian Brown, of Darlington police, said it was a serious crime to kill a protected species and the culprits could face firearms charges.

He said: "This was a sickening attack on a beautiful bird."

The shooting happened at about 10am last Friday, on a public footpath along Baydale Beck, off Staindrop Road.

Mr Warne, 45, has another Harris hawk, five-year-old Stomper, who is Geordie's brother.

He said the birds cost about £400, but he has put years of training into them.

He said: "I had a life-saving operation in 2000 and was quite poorly. During my recovery, I went to a falconry display and getting these birds was very therapeutic for me."

The first suspect was 35 to 40, about 5ft 8in, stocky, with mousy brown short hair. He was wearing a blue jacket and jeans and carrying a brown leather-looking gun pouch, the shape of an air rifle. The second suspect was 17 to 19, with dark hair and a long thin face. He was wearing a dark jacket and carrying an air rifle case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Julian Brown on 0845 60 60 365.