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Watch Northern Harrier Video
The Northern Harrier is a graceful bird of prey that flies low over fields and marshes. With its long wings and a distinctive white patch on its tail, it hunts for small animals like mice and birds.
Key details
- Length
- 43-50 cm
- Wingspan
- 99-120 cm
- Weight
- 0.3-0.6 kg
- Lifespan
- 6-16 years
- Top Speed
- 50 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 4-8
- Incubation
- 28-36 days
- Migration Distance
- 4000 km
Traits
FeatheredSolitaryAmbush PredatorWetlandCarnivorousDiurnalKeystone SpeciesMigratory
What this page adds
The Northern Harrier has a distinct owl-like facial disk and a prominent white patch on its rump, visible in flight. Males are pale gray above with white undersides, while females are streaky brown with a buff underside.
A bright white patch above its tail helps identify them in flight!
Males hunt for multiple females, sometimes feeding two or three nests at once!
Their nests are built right on the ground, cleverly hidden in dense marsh plants.
