Add Another Migrator

This migratory raptor showed-up today.

Audubon Image

 

Meet Circus cyaneus - the northern harrier - colloquially known as a marsh hawk. A predictable resident.

 

The genus name Circus comes from the Greek kirkos - meaning 'circle' a reference to its circling flight. Cyaneus is Latin - meaning dark-blue. 

 

This is an easy bird of prey to identify.  Northern harriers have several characteristics that set them apart from other hawks.  The feathers around their face have an owl-like disk focusing sound into their ears. Their wings form a v-shape as they fly low and slow and parallel to the ground during flight. They also have a distinctive white rump which is visible during flight.

 

This raptor both nests and feeds on the ground and provides hours of bird watching as they hunt over the tall grass prairie north of the house.