Circus cyaneus
The Northern Harrier may be the easiest hawk to identify on the wing, because no other hawk routinely flies so close to the ground. This common hawk cruises low over fields and meadows, seeming to graze the tops of long grass with its belly. Although it relies on excellent vision to detect prey, its owl-like, parabolic facial disc accentuates sounds, allowing the hawk to cue into prey by ear as well. Sexing a Northern Harrier is nearly as easy as identifying it: males are gray; females are brown. The genus name Circus is a wonderful tribute to this hawk's often erratic flight. This bird was once known as the Marsh Hawk in North America, and it is called the Hen Harrier in Europe. |
I.D.: General: medium-sized; long wings and tail; white rump; facial disk. Male: gray upperparts; white underparts; black wing tips; indistinct tail bands. Female: reddish-brown overall. Immature: dark tail bands; heavily streaked breast, sides and flanks. Size: L 16-24 in. (41-61 cm); W 44-47 in. (112-119 cm). Range: common migrant in the southern U.S. Rockies; common summer resident in the central U.S. Rockies; uncommon to common breeder and migrant in the Canadian and northern U.S. Rockies. Habitat: almost any type of open country, including open fields, wet meadows, cattail marshes, agricultural fields, hedgerows and alpine meadows; some migrate at higher elevations in fall. Nesting: on the ground, often on a raised mound, usually in shrubs, cattails or tall vegetation; flat platform nest is built of grass, sticks and cattails; female incubates 4-6 bluish eggs. Feeding: hunts by sight and sound in low, coursing flights, often below 30 ft. (9.1 m); eats small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Voice: most vocal near nest site and during courtship, but generally quiet; near nest a high-pitch ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke. Similar Species: Red-tailed Hawk: lacks the white rump and the long, narrow tail. Rough-legged Hawk: broader wings; wrist patches; fan-like tail. |
