Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneus

Formerly known as “Marsh Hawk”, the Northern Harrier was truly aptly named by this old moniker. They are usually found performing lazy passes, and sailing over grassy fields and wetlands. Between Summer and Winter these raptors will range over most of the North American continent’s wetlands and grass fields. Males will have as many as five mates in a season, a practice known as polygyny. Not only do these hawks have owl-like faces, their hearing is highly developed, allowing them to find unseen prey. Males and females can usually be differentiated by color. The girls are more brown, while the boys are more silvery and even whitish at times.