They are large hawks that have dark gray backs and wings with a white spotted chest and belly. Range. In the summer, they breed from Alaska, across Canada and down into the northern U.S. Habitat. Calls of the Northern Harrier Additional Photos and Information The face of northern harriers bears more resemblance to that of an owl than a hawk. Uncommon. Migration. It also consumes large insects such as grasshoppers and crickets, and takes reptiles and amphibians, and bird eggs. Length: 46–50 cm Wingspan: 102–118 cm Weight: 300–750 g. coloring. DIET: The Northern Harrier feeds mainly on small mammals such as rodents, mice, voles and ground squirrels, and also young rabbits and hares. Circus cyaneus. Body Traits. Ground. In the northern portion of their range, voles comprise the majority of the Northern Harrier’s diet. Males are gray above and light below, while the larger females are brown above with buff and streaks of brown on her chest. Length: 16 - 24" Habitat: In the Northeast: Freshwater marshes, saltwater marshes, wet meadows, sloughs, swamps, open fields. On October 18, the veterinary staff took follow-up radiographs of the bird’s left wing. Hand feeding formulas are easy to use, and provide chicks with all the nutrition they require in a daily diet to grow up strong and healthy. Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Harriers sometimes hide, or cache, surplus food, particularly during the breeding season. zone Subalpine / Grassland . Large prey are usually torn apart before being eaten. Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus : diet. Northern harriers are unique among our birds of prey, because sexes can be distinguished by plumage differences. Requires open country for hunting. nesting. Year round. It takes birds in the open areas, from passerines to occasionally adult Galliformes and ducks. Small mammals. Small prey, including mice and insects, sometimes are swallowed whole. Each species account is written by leading ornithologists and provides detailed information on bird distribution, migration, habitat, diet, sounds, behavior, breeding, current population status, and conservation. size. The Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus population has expanded rapidly during the last decades in northern Finland. Hawk (Marsh) - Northern Harrier. You'll find that most chicks accept them very readily. White stomach/ black tipped wings. They live in fields, prairies and marshes. In the winter, they can be found from the southern U.S. to Central America. rarity. Northern Harrier Information. Northern Harrier #15-2160 has been eating well since it was moved to an airline crate in the Center’s aviary hallway. Diet: Mostly small mammals such as voles, mice, shrews; also small rabbits; small birds, reptiles, amphibians, large insects. seasonality.