Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

     Photos by BarrytheBirder

Male Northern Harrier

Female Northern Harrier

One of my favourite raptors, the Northern Harrier is an elegantly long-winged, long-tailed hawk that hunts by flying low over open fields and marshes, looking and listening for prey.   It takes many rodents and sometimes birds.

It perches low or on the ground, sometimes in trees or on tall poles, and it usually flies low above the ground.   It was formerly known as the "Marsh Hawk".   It is best known by its shape and low, slow flight, with its wings angled up in a shallow V.

Its contrasting white rump is conspicuous.   Adult males are gray with black wingtips.   Female and juveniles are brown, and the juvenile is rusty orange below.   Females are also whiter with more streaks.   The voice of the Northern Harrier is most silently but it sometimes gives a thin whistle.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder