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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CLXXXIII
Field-journal plate: Northern Harrier
The Northern Harrier plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CLXXXIII

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

Accipitridae · Taxon 558446

Length46–50 cm (18.1–19.7 in), both sexes
Wingspan102–118 cm (40.2–46.5 in), both sexes
Weight300–750 g (10.6–26.5 oz), both sexes

Field marks

  1. Long, broad wings held in a shallow V
  2. Long, rounded, dark-banded tail
  3. Conspicuous white rump patch
  4. Flat, owl-like facial disc
  5. Small, sharply hooked bill
  6. Adult male gray above; female and immature brown or rusty with streaked or buff underparts

HabitatOpen habitats with low, dense vegetation, including freshwater and brackish marshes, grasslands, prairies, meadows, fields, tundra, shrubsteppe, croplands, estuaries, and open floodplains.

BehaviorHunts by coursing slowly and low over open ground, often rocking side to side with the wings held in a shallow V; uses both hearing and vision to locate prey, then hovers or drops onto it. Typically perches and nests close to the ground.

Palette

slate grayearth brownrusty orangecreamy whiteblack