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Manatee County

Audubon Society

Northern Harrier

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Name

Northern Harrier

Scientific Name

(Circus hudsonius)

Why they are special:
  • A distinctive raptor of open marshes and grasslands, Northern Harriers are unique for their owl-like face, which helps them hear prey as they hunt.

  • Their low, gliding flight just above the ground makes them unmistakable.

Size and color:
  • Medium-sized raptor, 18–20 inches long with a wingspan of 40–46 inches.

  • Males: gray above, whitish below.

  • Females and immatures: brown above, streaked below.

  • All ages have a white rump patch, a key field mark.

Seasonality in Florida:
  • Winter visitor, arriving in fall and staying through spring (September–April).

Habitat:
  • Open wetlands, coastal marshes, grasslands, and pastures.

  • Often seen gliding low over fields or marshes in search of prey.

Diet:
  • Small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

  • Hunts by combining sharp eyesight and hearing, aided by its facial disk.

Behavior:
  • Flies low and buoyantly, tilting wings and gliding just above vegetation.

  • Nests on the ground in northern breeding grounds; in Florida, they are only wintering visitors.

Conservation notes:
  • Populations are declining due to habitat loss of open wetlands and grasslands.

  • Protection of large marshes and grasslands is critical for their survival.

Best time to see:
  • Winter months, especially in coastal marshes and large inland wetlands.

Fun Fact:
  • The Northern Harrier is the only hawk in North America with an owl-like facial disk, which funnels sound to its ears to improve hunting ability.

 

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