Wild Boyz Photography Photos of the wild
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR TEAM
      • INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
    • PARTNERS
      • NONPROFIT PARTNERS
      • PRINTING PARTNERS
    • GET INVOLVED
    • CREATIVE COMMONS
    • CONTACT
  • GALLERIES
    • May Gallery 2025
    • April Gallery 2025
    • March Gallery 2025
    • February Gallery 2025
    • January Gallery 2025
    • Archive 2024
      • January Gallery 2024
      • February Gallery 2024
      • March Gallery 2024
      • April Gallery 2024
      • May Gallery 2024
      • June Gallery 2024
      • July Gallery 2024
      • August Gallery 2024
      • September Gallery 2024
      • October Gallery 2024
      • Best of 2024 Gallery
    • Archive 2023
      • January Gallery 2023
      • February Gallery 2023
      • March Gallery 2023
      • April Gallery 2023
      • May Gallery 2023
      • June Gallery 2023
      • July Gallery 2023
      • August Gallery 2023
      • September Gallery 2023
      • October Gallery 2023
      • November Gallery 2023
      • Best of 2023 Gallery
    • Archive 2022
      • January Gallery 2022
      • February Gallery 2022
      • March Gallery 2022
      • April Gallery 2022
      • May Gallery 2022
      • June Gallery 2022
      • July Gallery 2022
      • August Gallery 2022
      • September Gallery 2022
      • October Gallery 2022
      • November Gallery 2022
    • Archive 2021
      • January Gallery 2021
      • February Gallery 2021
      • March Gallery 2021
      • April Gallery 2021
      • May Gallery 2021
      • June Gallery 2021
      • July Gallery 2021
      • August Gallery 2021
      • September Gallery 2021
      • October Gallery 2021
      • November Gallery 2021
      • Best of 2021 Gallery
    • ARCHIVE 2020
      • January Gallery 2020
      • February Gallery 2020
      • March Gallery 2020
      • April Gallery 2020
      • May Gallery 2020
      • June Gallery 2020
      • July Gallery 2020
      • August Gallery 2020
      • September Gallery 2020
      • October Gallery 2020
      • November Gallery 2020
      • Best of 2020 Gallery
    • ARCHIVE 2019
      • April Gallery 2019
      • May Gallery 2019
      • June Gallery 2019
      • July Gallery 2019
      • August Gallery 2019
      • September Gallery 2019
      • October Gallery 2019
      • November Gallery 2019
  • GUEST GALLERIES
    • LIZ MURPHY – NUDIBRANCHS
    • BILL SHAMICK – TURTLES
    • NICK IVERS
    • KBSTRRC
    • MELANIE CHENEY
    • BRUCE LEANDER
    • RELEAF MICHIGAN
    • THE XERCES SOCIETY
    • ROCK HOLLOW WOODS
    • OCEAN DEFENDERS ALLIANCE
    • VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE
    • SYCAMORE LAND TRUST
    • CORA BERCHEM – SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB
    • BRUCE LEANDER – WILDFLOWER CENTER
    • ALEX NEUFELD – CRF
    • WARD 8 WOODS
  • BLOG
  • |
  • DONATE
  • STORE
  • CARDS
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR TEAM
      • INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
    • PARTNERS
      • NONPROFIT PARTNERS
      • PRINTING PARTNERS
    • GET INVOLVED
    • CREATIVE COMMONS
    • CONTACT
  • GALLERIES
    • May Gallery 2025
    • April Gallery 2025
    • March Gallery 2025
    • February Gallery 2025
    • January Gallery 2025
    • Archive 2024
      • January Gallery 2024
      • February Gallery 2024
      • March Gallery 2024
      • April Gallery 2024
      • May Gallery 2024
      • June Gallery 2024
      • July Gallery 2024
      • August Gallery 2024
      • September Gallery 2024
      • October Gallery 2024
      • Best of 2024 Gallery
    • Archive 2023
      • January Gallery 2023
      • February Gallery 2023
      • March Gallery 2023
      • April Gallery 2023
      • May Gallery 2023
      • June Gallery 2023
      • July Gallery 2023
      • August Gallery 2023
      • September Gallery 2023
      • October Gallery 2023
      • November Gallery 2023
      • Best of 2023 Gallery
    • Archive 2022
      • January Gallery 2022
      • February Gallery 2022
      • March Gallery 2022
      • April Gallery 2022
      • May Gallery 2022
      • June Gallery 2022
      • July Gallery 2022
      • August Gallery 2022
      • September Gallery 2022
      • October Gallery 2022
      • November Gallery 2022
    • Archive 2021
      • January Gallery 2021
      • February Gallery 2021
      • March Gallery 2021
      • April Gallery 2021
      • May Gallery 2021
      • June Gallery 2021
      • July Gallery 2021
      • August Gallery 2021
      • September Gallery 2021
      • October Gallery 2021
      • November Gallery 2021
      • Best of 2021 Gallery
    • ARCHIVE 2020
      • January Gallery 2020
      • February Gallery 2020
      • March Gallery 2020
      • April Gallery 2020
      • May Gallery 2020
      • June Gallery 2020
      • July Gallery 2020
      • August Gallery 2020
      • September Gallery 2020
      • October Gallery 2020
      • November Gallery 2020
      • Best of 2020 Gallery
    • ARCHIVE 2019
      • April Gallery 2019
      • May Gallery 2019
      • June Gallery 2019
      • July Gallery 2019
      • August Gallery 2019
      • September Gallery 2019
      • October Gallery 2019
      • November Gallery 2019
  • GUEST GALLERIES
    • LIZ MURPHY – NUDIBRANCHS
    • BILL SHAMICK – TURTLES
    • NICK IVERS
    • KBSTRRC
    • MELANIE CHENEY
    • BRUCE LEANDER
    • RELEAF MICHIGAN
    • THE XERCES SOCIETY
    • ROCK HOLLOW WOODS
    • OCEAN DEFENDERS ALLIANCE
    • VERMONT INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCE
    • SYCAMORE LAND TRUST
    • CORA BERCHEM – SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB
    • BRUCE LEANDER – WILDFLOWER CENTER
    • ALEX NEUFELD – CRF
    • WARD 8 WOODS
  • BLOG
  • |
  • DONATE
  • STORE
  • CARDS
April 26, 2023  |  By Matt Hamas

Harrier Hawk

Harrier Hawk Live

Northern Harrier Hawk - IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Harrier hawks have the longest wing and tail relative to their body size compared to any other raptor in North America

This majestic predator is known as a harrier hawk. There are 16 species within the genus. This particular harrier hawk is called a northern harrier hawk. It is sometimes referred to as the “marsh hawk” or “ring-tailed hawk”. Both of these common names are accurate. As you can see in this photo, this harrier is resting in a marsh. If it were to take off, it would be evident how the ring-tail name got started. At the base of their tail, harriers have a white band that helps make them easy to identify.  

Snowy Owl

These medium sized prey birds are around 20 inches long with a wingspan maxing out at about four feet. Their size corresponds with their sex. Female northern harriers are larger, averaging ~19 ounces, while males average ~12 ounces.  Their wing shape is similar to other hawks, with broad wings and a sizable tail (rounded at the end). They are said to be slightly smaller than a red-tailed hawk.  However, harriers are known to have the longest wing and tail relative to their body size compared to any other raptor in North America!

Due to their wide range and diurnal nature, these birds can be found if you know where to look. Their range extends all the way to the arctic, for breeding purposes. Other times of the year, they can be found in lower latitudes throughout the United States. These hawks like to hunt the open fields and grasslands.  In these areas, you will see the harrier’s get low to the ground scouring for prey. They tend to fly with their wings in a “V” position. I noticed this harrier doing that when I saw it at Salisbury Beach State Park in Massachusetts.  The open coastal marshland is a prime habitat for them. The males tend to have a territory of about a square mile, although some territories have been found to be much larger.  Northern harriers are one of the few raptor species that are polygynous. The males will mate with multiple females (up to five in a season).

Long-Tailed Duck

The harriers build their nests on the open ground, generally a stick made nest that sits on a dirt mound.  Females will lay four to eight eggs, which they will incubate for roughly a month. During this time, the female stays with the eggs while the male harrier hunts and brings back food to the family. Interestingly, the male harrier passes his catch to the female, who then proceeds to feed the chicks. These young harriers are not capable of breeding for at least two years (at least three years for males). 

The harriers build their nests on the open ground

Although these birds are clearly predators, they also have predators of their own

Although these birds are clearly predators, they also have predators of their own, at least while they are young and vulnerable to ground predation like foxes, raccoons, and skunks. In addition, predators from the air can prey upon young harriers, particularly crows, ravens, and owls. 

Harbor Seals

If you have ever been to the beach, you have seen seagulls harass each other in an effort to make the other drop their catch. Once this happens, the others rush in to steal the food. This behavior known as kleptoparasitism, or as I call it “bird bullying”. This trait is something that has been observed between harriers and owls.  

Did You Know?

  • Harriers can hear well, unlike most hawks! Harriers will fly in circles over a hunting ground listening for movements, in the same way an owl will. Note how the harrier has an owl-like facial development. 
This Month's Gallery
bird field hawk hiking indiana predator

Article by Matt Hamas

Previous StoryHerring Gull
Next StoryCommon Garter Snake

Related Articles

  • Fall Webworm Moth Live
    Fall Webworm Moth
  • Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee Live
    Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee

0 Comments

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Donate

About

Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

  facebook twitter instagram

Categories

Tags

b&w backyard beach big bend bird black and white butterfly camouflage coral desert diving fish florida flower forest guest Hawaii hiking indiana insect kayaking lake landscape light macro maine mountain national park new hampshire ocean reef scuba spider sun sunrise sunset texas tree turtle underwater vermont water weather weird white mountains

WHO WE ARE

  • OUR TEAM
  • PRINTING PARTNERS
  • PARTNERS
  • CONTACT
  • STORE

WHAT WE DO

  • GALLERY
  • GET INVOLVED
  • BLOG
  • OUR MISSION

TRANSPARENCY

GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency

EIN: 83-3161428

ABOUT US

Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

FIND US ELSEWHERE

FacebookTwitterInstagram
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License