Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneusOrder: FALCONIFORMESFamily: Kites, Eagles and Hawks (Accipitridae)

Breeding Location:

Open landscapes

Breeding Type:

Solitary nester, Some monogamous

Breeding Population:

Declining

Egg Color:

Pale blue, sometimes with brown spots

Number of Eggs:

3 - 9

Incubation Days:

31 - 32

Egg Incubator:

Female

Nest Material:

Sticks and grass lined with fine material.

Migration:

Some migrate

Overview

Northern Harrier: Large hawk with gray upperparts, distinct white rump, and white underparts with spotted breast. Hooked bill is dark, yellow at base. Eyes are yellow. Wings are long, gray above, and white below with black tips. Legs, feet are yellow. Alternates several deep wing beats with glides.

Range and Habitat

Northern Harrier: Breeds from Alaska to the northern U.S. Spends winters from the southern U.S. to Central America. Preferred habitats include open fields, savannas, meadows, and marshes.

Breeding and Nesting

Northern Harrier: Three to nine pale blue eggs, sometimes spotted with brown, are laid in a ground nest made of sticks and lined with grass, usually built on a raised mound of dirt or a clump of vegetation; often nests in loose colonies of 15 to 20 pairs. Incubation ranges from 31 to 32 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Northern Harrier: Eats mostly mice, but also takes insects and small reptiles. Glides close to ground when hunting, diving down quickly to capture prey.

Vocalization

Northern Harrier: Emits a shrill call of "kek, kek, kek" or "keee, keee, keee", especially around the nest.

Similar Species

Northern Harrier: Rough-legged Hawk has broader wings and black subterminal tail band.

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Northern Harrier

● Song: "kek, kek, kek", "keee, keee, keee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Northern Harrier: Eats mostly mice, but also takes insects and small reptiles. Glides close to ground when hunting, diving down quickly to capture prey.

● Breeding & nesting: Northern Harrier: Three to nine pale blue eggs, sometimes spotted with brown, are laid in a ground nest made of sticks and lined with grass, usually built on a raised mound of dirt or a clump of vegetation; often nests in loose colonies of 15 to 20 pairs. Incubation ranges from 31 to 32 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Northern Harrier: Rough-legged Hawk has broader wings and black subterminal tail band.

Flight Pattern

Several deep wing beats alternate with long glides.

● Range & Habitat: Northern Harrier: Breeds from Alaska to the northern U.S. Spends winters from the southern U.S. to Central America. Preferred habitats include open fields, savannas, meadows, and marshes.

^BreedingSolitary nester, Some monogamous

^PopulationDeclining

^MigrationSome migrate

^Weight12.6 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America