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Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier female (brown)

General Description: Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus) are large, sexually dimorphic birds of prey. Both genders show a large white rump patch, which is diagnostic, and both have a large-headed, owl-like appearance. Males are gray overall with black wingtips. Females are brown overall with streaked underparts. Juveniles are darker overall with a clear breast.

Harriers are recognized from other birds of prey by the long, narrow, wings, long tail, and the behavior of flying low to the ground with the wings held above horizontal.

Taxonomy: Accipitriformes, Accipitridae.

Favored Habitat: Open areas, especially marshes. Roosts on the ground, so does not need places to perch.

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier male (gray)
Where to Find: Fairly common, usually seen hunting over marshes, but also regularly seen in the open desert. Around Las Vegas, look for harriers in the open desert, and also at marshes in the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, in the Moapa Valley near Moapa National Wildlife Refuge, and in the Overton Wildlife Management Area.
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) If you were a field vole or a little mouse, this might be the last face you ever see!
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier female
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier female: notice the owl-like facial disk
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier female
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Notice the owl-like facial disk
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier female; notice wings held above horizontal
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier female; notice the dark back and white rump
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier male hunting over a marsh
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier male
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier male
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier male
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Northern Harrier female in flight: note the streaked breast
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Juvenile in flight: note the clear breast
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Hunting meadows near 10K feet in the Ruby Mountains, Nevada
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Typical hunting behavior: flying low and slow over a marsh
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240108

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