The Northern Harrier
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A Deadly Bird of Prey
The Northern Harrier is one of the most widespread and easily recognized hawks of North America. It has an owl-like facial disc which allows it to hunt by sound as well as sight. Quiet in flight, its prey doesn't recognize the danger until it is too late. Watching this bird of prey in action is quite a sight to see.
Description
The Northern Harrier is a medium to large size bird of prey. It is 17 to 24 inches in length and has a wingspan of 3 ½ to 4 ½ feet. It is a slender hawk with wide wings and a long tail. The male is a pale bluish-gray bird rusty brown spots, and black wing-tips. Its breast and belly are buff colored and it has a white rump patch.
The female is considerably larger than the male. It is mostly reddish-brown with a brown-streaked buff colored chest and belly. It has a white rump patch as well. Unlike other hawks, the Northern Harrier has a facial disc much like an owl.
Unlike most hawks, harrier can use their sense of hearing to help locate prey. They have an owl-like facial disk that helps locate the direction of the sound, and their feathers are soft allowing for a quieter flight.
Range and Habitat
The Northern Harrier is fairly common throughout North America. The birds living in the northern regions will migrate to the southern regions in the winter. They settle in a wide range of habitats such prairies, wetlands, marshes, and woodlands that have been clear-cut.
The Northern Harrier has also been called the blue hawk, frog hawk, hen harrier, and mash hawk.
Mating and Nesting
The Northern Harrier's courtship ritual includes an aerial display. The flight includes steep climbs and dives as well as a series of loops. The nests are built on the ground usually in a communal setting. The Northern Harrier is polygamous with a single male mating with 2 to 3 females. The nest is not really a nest but a pile of sticks and grass. The female will lay 3 to 6 eggs depending on the abundance of prey. The eggs are incubated for 29 to 31 days. The young fledge at 4 to 5 ½ weeks and reach maturity in 2 to 3 years.
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America
Amazon Price: $3.29 (as of 06/03/2012)
A nice handy guide to hawks and owls, especially for beginners and less experienced birders... Robert E. Hoopes, Wildlife Activist 06/2004
An excellent identification guide... the photos are well chosen... the text is clear and concise. Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star Tribune 08/18/2004
Diet
Northern Harriers prey on a variety of different rodents, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The females tend to prey on more mammals while the male goes after the birds. They hunt using a low, slow flight over the ground and then swoop down onto their prey.
The Northern Harrier primarily feeds on mice and other small mammals, but will tackle larger prey. It will subdue larger prey such as a duck by drowning it.
Voice
The Northern Harrier's call is a piercing scream. Eeyah-eeyah-eeyah! In times of distress the call is more of a high pitched ke-ke-ke uttered in rapid succession.
Hawks from Every Angle: How to Identify Raptors In Flight
Hawks from Every Angle: How to Identify Raptors In Flight
Amazon Price: $12.48 (as of 06/03/2012)
Editorial Review (Amazon.com)
Hawks from Every Angle is a major advance in our knowledge of identifying raptors in flight and as such needs to be in the library (and field pack) of every serious raptor biologist, hawk watcher, and birder going afield in North America.
(Gerald S. Heintzelman,"International Hawkwatcher )
Canon Digital Rebel
Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens - Black
Amazon Price: $600.00 (as of 06/03/2012)
I have used a simple point and shoot camera for years. They're great for taking pictures at family gatherings and picnics, but when it came to photographing wildlife, I was always disappointed with the results. I couldn't get a close-up without compromising the quality of the picture. I started researching cameras and came up with the Canon Rebel. It's a step above the POINT and SHOOT but not so complicated that it ends up setting on the shelf.
Hawks in Flight: The Flight Identification of North American Migrant Raptors
Hawks in Flight: The Flight Identification of North American Migrant Raptors
Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 06/03/2012)
Amazon Review: William E. Sanderson
There is no other guide which even approaches Hawks in Flight for thoroughness, clarity, and utility. Anyone who seriously pursues the sport of hawk watching must have this book
Some of My Favorite Birds of Prey
Majestic EaglesThe Bald Eagle
The Golden Eagle
Hawks
The Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-shouldered Hawk
The Ferruginous Hawk
Falcons The Merlin Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon
Kites
The Swallow-tailed Kite
Raptor Almanac
The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures
Amazon Price: $212.73 (as of 06/03/2012)
Amazon.com Review
Few people, writes Scott Weidensaul, are apathetic toward raptors. Once you've seen a hawk or a falcon or an eagle in action, you're likely to take an interest in how these great birds of prey make their homes in the world. The Weidensaul's encyclopedic guidebook to the world's principal raptor species, well illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts and full of detailed information, is an ideal companion.
Have you seen any interesting birds lately?
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mahimattphoto
Apr 4, 2011 @ 9:34 am | delete
- Great site, The N. Harrier is a neat bird i have seen then a few times in Upstate NY
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JeffsWealthyAffiliate
May 7, 2009 @ 4:44 pm | delete
- Awesome site. You did a great job on this one and it shows. I'll definitely be back to check out your other lenses. Wish I had your energy lol. Anyway, thanks for putting this up.
Cheers!
Jay
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AndyPo
May 5, 2009 @ 11:33 am | delete
- Excellent. I am learning a lot from your bird lenses.
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JaguarJulie Oct 30, 2008 @ 10:58 am | delete
- Ah, I should have guessed it was a bird of prey. Sometimes I am feeling 'harried' ... wonder if that has anything to do with the naming of this bird?
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naturegirl7 Oct 25, 2008 @ 4:03 pm | delete
- Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens links to the appropriate plexos and vote for them.
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About the Author
Bird Watcher's Digest
Bird Watchers Digest
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 06/03/2012)
Keep current with what's happening in the birding world. Bird Watcher's Digest offers great articles and pictures, as well as information on conservation efforts and research. I receive several birding magazines each month but its Bird Watcher's that has me dropping everything to sit down and read.
6 issues/12 months
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Carolina Raptor Center
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
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