Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Identification
Adult: Slightly smaller than the Northern Goshawk; males usually smaller than females. Harriers express sexual dimorphism in color; females are brown and males are gray.
Tail: Long, 4 indistinct bands of light and dark gray. White uppertail coverts (rump patch) can be seen from above.
Wings: Long and narrow with black wing tips. Underwings are streaked and light in color.
Head: Owl-like facial disk, white feathers around the eye with a stripe running through.
Eye: Orange to red.
Immature (shown):
Similar to adult female, usually more cinnamon in color.
Breast: Streaked.
Habitat
All open treeless areas including marshes, agricultural fields, and grasslands. Commonly observed flying or hovering close
to the ground. Harriers are ground nesting species.
Range
Summer: common resident statewide; Winter: present in southern 1/3 of the state.
Call
Audio recording not yet available
