Circus hudsonius
The Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) is a distinctive raptor of open country, often identified by its buoyant, owl-like flight and prominent white rump patch. Adults typically measure 41-55 cm (16-22 in) in length with a wingspan of 97-122 cm (38-48 in) and weigh between 300-600 g (10.6-21.2 oz). This species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism; males are largely pale gray above with white underparts and black wingtips, while females are buffy-brown with streaked underparts. Both sexes share...
Found primarily in expansive open grasslands, prairies, marshes, wet meadows, and agricultural fields, typically at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily preys on small mammals like voles and mice, small birds, and large insects, hunted by quartering low over open terrain.
Northern Harriers are diurnal hunters, but their communal roosts, often in dense vegetation, can sometimes consist of dozens of individuals at dusk. They employ a distinctive foraging strategy known as "quartering," flying low over fields with wings held in a shallow V, systematically searching f...
The Northern Harrier boasts a broad circumpolar distribution, primarily across North America, with its range extending from the Canadian Arctic south through the United States, Mexico, and Central America, reaching as far as Colombia and Venezuela in winter. Breeding occurs throughout much of Can...
Least Concern
- Northern Harriers possess an owl-like facial disk, a unique feature among diurnal raptors, which helps them funnel sound to their ears for precise auditory hunting, especially in dense vegetation or low light. - Their buoyant, low-level flight with wings held in a V-shape is a distinctive field...