Northern Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Hawk Like
Length: 23 in. (58 cm )
Usually seen soaring low over open fields, marshy areas and prairies, this hawk feeds on small birds, mammals, snakes, frogs, and large insects. It will also eat carrion when available. It uses its disc-like facial feathers to focus sounds and locate prey in dense grassy areas. The nest is an small platform of sticks and grass elevated off the ground in dense grass or marsh vegetation. During the winter this species roosts communally on the ground in groups of 5 to 20 individuals.
The four-digit banding code is NOHA.
Male |
Female |
Female |
Agricultural
Grasslands
Marsh / swamp
Savanna
Bibliographic details:
- Article: Northern Harrier
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
- Date accessed:
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-harrier
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:38). Northern Harrier. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-harrier
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "Northern Harrier". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-harrier
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "Northern Harrier". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-harrier
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