Northern Harrier

Northern Harrier

(Circus hudsonius)

Gavilán rastrero, Gavilán de ciénaga, Aguilucho pálido.

Identification: Medium size and slim, with long wings and distinctive white rump patch on the base of its long tail. Adult males are silvery grey above and white below. Adult females and juveniles are brown above. Females have buffy-brown chest with brown streaking. Juveniles have orange belly.

Migratory behavior: Typically flies alone, but frequently found soaring with other raptors while using thermals. Often flies low to the ground with a graceful and smooth flight, which alternate deep flaps and long glides holding its wings in a “V” shape.

Remarks: This species relies upon vision and hearing to hunt prey and feeds largely on small rodents. Like an owl, harriers have a facial disc that helps them direct sound to their ears.

For more information on northern harrier research, along with other farmland raptors, click here.