Raptor Identification: A Guide to Identifying Northern Harriers

The Northern Harrier is a fascinating bird of prey that can be challenging to identify, especially for beginners. However, with practice and patience, it's possible to become proficient in recognizing this magnificent creature. The Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) has gathered valuable resources to aid in raptor identification, including the 'Guide to Hawks Seen in North America' by HMANA (2009).

One of the most distinctive features of juvenile Northern Harriers is their similar appearance to adult females. However, juveniles can be distinguished by their rich, rufous underparts with faint dark streaking on the chest. Over time, eye color changes from dark brown to yellow, a process that takes around three years.

Adult female Northern Harriers are characterized by their brown-streaked breast and buff-colored belly, with dark brown upperparts featuring tan or rufous mottling on the wing coverts. Some males may exhibit washed-out rufous coloration on the chest and leggings, as well as brownish hues on the head and upperwing coverts.

In contrast, adult male Northern Harriers are strikingly white below with black wing tips and a black trailing edge on their secondaries. They also possess brilliant white uppertail coverts, often referred to as a 'white rump.' Adult males and females differ significantly in plumage, while juveniles resemble adult females.

Harriers are generally quiet birds but produce an emphatic 'whew, whew, wee, wee, wee' call when defending their territory or responding to aggression. They are also known for their vocalizations in small groups during winter months.

One of the most impressive features of Northern Harriers is their ability to adapt to different environments. They can appear buteo-like while soaring and falcon-like while gliding, earning them the nickname 'chameleons' among hawk watchers. Harriers typically perch briefly on low posts or the ground, rarely taking refuge in trees.

These birds are also known for their communal roosting behavior, often gathering in large numbers with Short-eared Owls. Northern breeders migrate to the Lower 48 states during winter months, where they hunt diurnally and spend much of their time aloft, coursing over meadows and fields in search of prey.

With their long legs adapted for capturing small animals in tall grasses or snatching songbirds from the air, Northern Harriers are formidable hunters. Their similarity to owls in facial disk shape, acute hearing, and low-light hunting abilities only adds to their mystique.

In conclusion, becoming proficient in raptor identification requires practice and patience. By familiarizing yourself with the distinctive features of Northern Harriers, such as their juvenile plumage, adult coloration, and vocalizations, you can enhance your chances of spotting these magnificent creatures during their migrations or in their natural habitats throughout North America.

Raptor identification