Northern Harrier
Adult male
Medium-sized raptor with long, broad wings, a long tail, and a characteristic white rump patch. Adult males are grayish above with a dark trailing edge on the wings.
© Tim Avery | Macaulay LibraryUtah, April 23, 2017Adult female
Often flies with its broad wings held in a "V". Note long tail. Females are pale below withe brown streaking.
© David Hall | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 14, 2017Adult female
Hunts for small rodents by gliding low over wetlands or open fields. Northern Harriers often flap intermittently and make sharp turns when flying.
© Eric Liner | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, January 20, 2009Not all videos have soundImmature
Immature birds have an unstreaked cinnamon wash on their belly and a darker brown head. Their flight feathers and tail are banded.
© Steven Mlodinow | Macaulay LibraryWashington, October 17, 2010Adult male
From below adult males are pale with black wingtips and black-tipped secondaries. Often hovers above prey before pouncing.
© Suzanne Labbé | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, April 02, 2009Adult female
Both males and females have a distinctive white rump patch.
© Amanda Guercio | Macaulay LibraryNew Brunswick, June 10, 2016Immature
Flies on long and broad wings. Note long tail.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, February 21, 2017Adult female
Perches on low trees and shrubs as well as fence posts.
© Dan Murphy | Macaulay LibraryWyoming, May 04, 2016Female/immature
Northern Harriers have an owl-like face that helps them detect prey by ear.
© Don Sterba | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 27, 2013Habitat
Found in open areas such as grasslands, marshes, and fields soaring low over the ground.
© Volker Hesse | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 13, 2017