Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus (C. cyaneus hudsonius)
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Habitat
Northern Harriers prefer open wetlands, meadows, pastures, prairies, plains, sloughs, marshlands, swamps, grasslands, croplands, shrublands, savannas, desert steppes, and riparian woodlands. Large forest clearings serve as preferred hunting grounds, and they prefer low perches such as stumps or fence posts. They make their nests on the ground, usually near water, or in tall grass. Occasionally Northern Harriers will make their nest on the water, using a foundation of sticks, willow, or sedge. Adaptation |
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae Genus: Circus Species: cyaneus Total Length: 16-20 in.
Wingspan: 38-48 in. Tail Length: 7-11 in. Weight: 10-26 oz. Lifespan: 12 years |
Northern Harriers are characterized by their long wings, ling tails, and distinctive white rump patch. They also have an owl-like facial disc, yellow legs, and yellow eyes. The male has a white underside and a light grey back; the female is mottled browns. Female Northern Harriers are larger than the males.
The Northern Harrier uses hearing as well as vision to capture prey, and the stiff feathers around the facial disc help to transmit sound.
Usually 4-8 very white eggs are laid, and one male is usually mated to several females. The male Northern Harrier engages in courtship display of dramatic mid-air barrel rolls. The female incubates the eggs while the male hunts and brings food to her, and later to her chicks. Usually only one mate of a particular male is able to mate successfully, because the male will favor her and her chicks when providing food. Chicks are born covered in white down with their eyes open. These birds are vocal around the nest, with calls of courtship, distress, and food present during breeding season.
The Northern Harrier uses hearing as well as vision to capture prey, and the stiff feathers around the facial disc help to transmit sound.
Usually 4-8 very white eggs are laid, and one male is usually mated to several females. The male Northern Harrier engages in courtship display of dramatic mid-air barrel rolls. The female incubates the eggs while the male hunts and brings food to her, and later to her chicks. Usually only one mate of a particular male is able to mate successfully, because the male will favor her and her chicks when providing food. Chicks are born covered in white down with their eyes open. These birds are vocal around the nest, with calls of courtship, distress, and food present during breeding season.
Niche
Northern Harriers primarily hunt small mammals, but their diet can also include birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Northern Harriers have been known to eat meadow voles, cotton rats, ground squirrels, shrews, lesser prairie chickens, sparrows, larks, pipits, rabbits, ducks, and occasionally carrion.
Northern Harriers hunt by flying low to the ground in open areas, and have been known to subdue large prey by drowning. Occasionally, Northern Harriers will engage in kleptoparasitism, the act of harassing a rival species until it drops its prey.
Northern Harrier adults, eggs and nestlings are eaten by raccoons, skunks, badgers, foxes, feral cats, minks, crows, ravens, magpies, coyotes, dogs, and owls. Northern Harriers protecting their nests are aggressive toward predators, and defend their young with distress calls and striking the predator with closed talons.
Northern Harriers primarily hunt small mammals, but their diet can also include birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Northern Harriers have been known to eat meadow voles, cotton rats, ground squirrels, shrews, lesser prairie chickens, sparrows, larks, pipits, rabbits, ducks, and occasionally carrion.
Northern Harriers hunt by flying low to the ground in open areas, and have been known to subdue large prey by drowning. Occasionally, Northern Harriers will engage in kleptoparasitism, the act of harassing a rival species until it drops its prey.
Northern Harrier adults, eggs and nestlings are eaten by raccoons, skunks, badgers, foxes, feral cats, minks, crows, ravens, magpies, coyotes, dogs, and owls. Northern Harriers protecting their nests are aggressive toward predators, and defend their young with distress calls and striking the predator with closed talons.
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