Northern Harrier

The Northern Harrier has an outstanding sense of hearing. Like owls, it has round, sound resonating facial feathers that, when in their normal low hunting style, provide the means for the bird to hear their prey though hidden in grasses and bushes.

Some bird watchers labeled the Northern Harrier the "marsh hawk" because its territory is usually near open marsh lands, wet lands and wet meadows. It received the name, "harrier" because of its inclination to raid, harass or harrying its quarry. The female Northern Harriers will regularly attack other raptors that fly over her nesting region. She will also drive away crows and eagles. People that come too close to her nest are often dive bombed by females safe guarding their nest.

X11- What You Can Do: The recovery of the Northern Harrier in your state or province depends on the conservation and protection of large areas of inland and coastal marshes, wet meadows, upland heaths and grasslands through land acquisition or landowner agreements. Supporting measures to protect and enhance wintering habitats in Central and South America is also important. Since the nesting activities of the Northern Harrier are often difficult to survey and monitor, people should report any confirmed nests to the Wildlife Division in their state.

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