Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
The Northern Harrier is a rare migrant to Britain, typically seen in the autumn and winter months, often in coastal areas and wetlands. It is a bird of prey that breeds in North America, but occasional individuals can be spotted in the UK, particularly in the northern and eastern regions.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Northern Harrier in the field.
The Northern Harrier can be identified by its long wings and tail, white rump patch, and distinctive facial disk, which gives it a owl-like appearance. Its wings are broad and rounded, with a characteristic shallow wingbeat.
The Northern Harrier is larger than a Blue Tit, but smaller than a Buzzard, with a length of approximately 40-50 cm.
The male Northern Harrier has a grey back, wings, and tail, with a white underside and a white rump patch, while its facial disk is white with a black border.
The female Northern Harrier is similar to the male, but with a brown back, wings, and tail, and a white underside with a white rump patch, while her facial disk is also white with a black border, although she may appear more streaked on the breast.
The Northern Harrier's call is a sharp, high-pitched "kek" or "keek" sound, often repeated in a series.
The Northern Harrier is a low-flying hunter, typically flying slowly and close to the ground in search of small mammals, birds, and insects, with a characteristic "quartering" flight pattern, where it flies back and forth over a area in a systematic search for prey.
The Northern Harrier can be confused with the Montagu's Harrier, but can be distinguished by its white rump patch and broader wings, as well as its more owl-like facial disk and slower wingbeat.
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