Northern Harrier Circus cyaneous
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneous
Unlike other hawks the Northern Harrier shows a pronounced facial disk with the appearance of an owl. The facial feathers are stiff to help transmit sound verifying the use of sound as well as sight to capture prey.One of the few raptors of which the sexes differ, the larger female is mottled browns while the male is white below with a light gray back and hood.It forages flying low above the ground feeding on mice, small birds and small mammals, often hovering over its prey in dense cover to drive it into the open.Declining in the southern most parts of its range, it has disappeared from former nesting areas.
Copyright Mark Tiefenbach Deepbrook Nature Photography
Copyright Mark Tiefenbach Deepbrook Nature Photography
