Northern Harrier

Erika and I photographed this first Northern Harrier on 10 February 2020 at the Nisqually wildlife refuge. In all the photos, note the owl-like facial disk. This hawk is easily identified by its white rump, unless it is hidden, as it is more or less in these photos. Otherwise harriers are told by their large size, and long wings and tails. Often they soar low over fields and marshes. 

The photos of the flying harrier were also taken at the refuge, but on 30 October 2020. In all these images, note the owl-like facial disc on these birds. These feathers allow the harrier to locate its prey by hearing the prey rustle through the marshland. In the summer, harriers capture mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Wintering birds eat what is available, usually voles. Sometimes a drop in vole numbers will cause harriers not to breed during the subsequent spring.