Mar 25, 2012 · The Northern Harrier is distinctive from a long distance away: a slim, long-tailed hawk gliding low over a marsh or grassland, holding its wings in a V-shape and sporting a white patch at the base of its tail. Up close it has an owlish face that helps it hear mice and voles beneath the vegetation.

Harriers are very distinctive hawks, long-winged and long-tailed, usually seen quartering low over the ground in open country. At close range, the face of our Northern Harrier looks rather like that of an owl; like an owl (and unlike most other hawks) it may rely on its keen hearing to help it locate prey as it courses low over the fields.

The Northern Harrier is distinctive from a long distance away: a slim, long-tailed hawk gliding low over a marsh or grassland, holding its wings in a V-shape and sporting a white patch at the base of its tail. Up close it has an owlish face that helps it hear mice and voles beneath the vegetation.

Mar 17, 2018 · The Northern Harrier is distinctive from a long distance away: a slim, long-tailed hawk gliding low over a marsh or grassland, holding its wings in a V-shape and sporting a white patch at the base of its tail. Up close it has an owlish face that helps it hear mice and voles beneath the vegetation.

Mar 8, 2025 · Unlike the heavier and shorter-tailed Rough-legged Hawks, the Harrier possesses a more slender body, a longer tail, and a distinct owl-like face. These physical distinctions, together with its unique flight pattern, make it identifiable among other raptors.

Oct 30, 2015 · These “facial discs” are rare in hawks but commonplace in owls, and if you perceive something owlish in the harrier’s face, that’s why. Unlike owls, though, Northern Harriers are bold enough to hunt during the day, cruising over wetlands, grasslands, prairies, fields, or anywhere else little animals are trying to use vegetation to hide.

Northern Harrier is also called "Marsh Hawk," as it is frequently seen flying very low over open marshland. Note the owl-like face, and the characteristic telltale white rump patch which is easily seen in flight.

Dec 10, 2024 · They both have facial disks: a ring of stiff feathers around their face. They can use the feathers to direct sound to their ears. How they hunt: Unlike other hawks, northern harriers hunt with sound as well as sight. They can even use sound alone — just like owls! Both types of raptors hunt low over open country.

The Northern harrier is a slender, medium-sized hawk characterized by a noticeably long tail, bold white rump patch, and owl-like face. Commonly encountered in large expanses of open country, its main hunting technique is through use of a distinctive buoyant, gliding flight low over the ground that relies heavily on visual as well as auditory ...

The northern harrier is a hawk of wetlands and grasslands. It has long wings and tail, a white rump patch, and an owl-like facial disk. Males are gray, females are brown. The flight pattern is distinctive.