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Difference between revisions of "Northern Harrier" - BirdForum Opus

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'''Alternative name: Hen Harrier'''
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[[Image:HARRIER MALE 2540.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|blubird|blubird}}<br />Las Gallinas, San Rafael, [[California]], 18 December 2008]]
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[[Image:Hen_Harrier_Male.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male Hen Harrier<br />Photo by {{user|RJSBRITS|RJSBRITS}}<br/> [[Netherlands]]]]
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'''Alternative name: Marsh Hawk'''
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;[[:Category:Circus|Circus]] cyaneus
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 +
;[[:Category:Circus|Circus]] hudsonius
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
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A medium-sized raptor, 45-55 cm long and 97-122 cm wingspan; males smaller (350 g), females larger (530 g).<br />
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[[Image:37277879410 e1e66d90d7 o.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Kadawe|Kadawe}}<br />Newbury [[Massachusetts]], 6 October 2017]]
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A medium-sized raptor, 43-58 cm (17¾-21¾ in) long and 97-122 cm wingspan; males smaller (350 g), females larger (530 g)<br />
 
'''Male'''
 
'''Male'''
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Grey head and upper parts with black primaries and white rump. Plain grey in Hen Harrier ''C. c. cyaneus'', mottled darker in Northern Harrier ''C. c. hudsonius''.<br />
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*Grey head and upper parts
 +
*Six outer primaries black
 +
*White rump
 +
*Back and wing (except for outer primaries) grey, mottled darker
 +
*Underparts pale grayish-white, with scattered orange-brown streaks on breast and flanks<br />
 
'''Female'''
 
'''Female'''
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Quite a bit larger than the male. Brown above and brownish-white below. Very noticeable white rump<br />
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*Quite a bit larger than the male
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'''Juvenile''' similar to adult female in Hen Harrier; distinctly orange-toned in Northern Harrier.<br />
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*Brown upperparts
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'''In flight''' will show five obvious primaries (fingers) unless in moult.
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*Brownish-white underparts, streaked and mottled darker
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[[Image:Northern_Harrier.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female Hen Harrier<br />Notice the five primaries visible on the far wing<br />Photo by {{user|alibenn|alibenn}}Lashi Lake, Yunnan, [[China]], December 2005]]
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*Very noticeable white rump<br />
 +
'''Juvenile'''
 +
*Similar to adult female but less streaked below and distinctly orange-toned<br />
 +
'''In flight'''  
 +
*Shows five obvious 'fingered' ([[Dictionary_D-F#E|emarginated]]) primaries unless in moult.
 
====Similar species====
 
====Similar species====
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See [[Montagu's Harrier]] and [[Pallid Harrier]] which both show four noticeable primaries in flight. Also see [[:Category:Circus|other harriers]] depending on where the observation is done; in Europe, [[Western Marsh Harrier]] is heavier with broader wings.  
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[[Image:Northern Harrier male Anahuac.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Adult male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Stanley+Jones|Stanley Jones}}<br />[[Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge]], Chambers County, [[Texas]], [[USA]], 1 February 2018]]
 +
None within its normal range. See [[Hen Harrier]] for distinction from that species in Europe where Northern Harrier is a rare vagrant. Southernmost wintering birds in the far north of [[South America]] need to be distinguished from [[Cinereous Harrier]]; that differs in males with more heavily orange-brown streaked underparts.
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
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Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. The two subspecies Hen Harrier ''C. c. cyaneus'' and Northern Harrier ''C. c. hudsonius'' occupy the Old and New Worlds respectively.
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Widespread in the [[North America]], breeding over most of [[Alaska]] except the far north and [[Canada]] south of the tree-line. Also breeds over much of the western and northern contiguous 48 states of the [[USA]] except for the south and south-east USA. Southernmost breeding limit is northern [[Baja California]]. Winters from southern Canada and throughout the USA, and from [[Mexico]] to [[Panama]], rarely the [[Caribbean]], [[Colombia]] and [[Venezuela]]. It has also occurred as a vagrant in the [[Azores]], the [[Faroes]] and in [[Britain]].
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In [[Europe]] and [[Asia]], Hen Harrier breeds widely between around 35°N and 65°N latitudes across the entire width of the landmass. In Europe the main breeding range is from central [[Sweden]], [[Finland]] and the [[Baltic States]], south to the Black Sea and east to the Urals. However, also breeds patchily in [[Ireland]] and northern [[Britain]] (nearly extinct), in north and central [[France]] and northern [[Spain]], with smaller populations in the [[Netherlands]], [[Denmark]] and central [[Norway]], [[Germany]], [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]]. Recently bred for the first time for many years in [[Italy]]. The Asian range extends from the Urals to the Pacific coast, breeding in the [[Russia]]n far east, on Kamchatka and Sakhalin, and northern and eastern [[China]]. It is a summer visitor in Scandinavia, Russia and northern China, but resident or partly so in western and central Europe. Widespread in winter from [[British Isles]], [[France]] and [[Spain]] east to the Black and Caspian Seas. Small numbers winter in [[Morocco]] and [[Egypt]] and can be seen on the major migration routes but relatively few cross the Mediterranean. Recorded in some numbers at [[Falsterbo]], peaking in early-mid October. Asian populations winter south to Japan, southern China south of the Yangtze, and northern India; a rare straggler to [[Taiwan]].
 
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In [[North America]] Northern Harrier breeds over most of [[Alaska]] except the far north and [[Canada]] south of the tree-line. Also breeds over much of the western and northern [[USA]] but absent from the south and south-east. Southernmost breeding limit is northern [[Baja California]]. Winters from southern Canada and throughout the USA, and from [[Mexico]] to [[Panama]], rarely the [[Caribbean]], [[Colombia]] and [[Venezuela]].
 
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[[Image:October - Harrier female in flight edited MG 3668.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female Northern Harrier ''C. c. hudsonius''<br />Photo by {{user|rdavis|rdavis}}<br />Orono Bog, Maine, [[USA]], May 2009]]
 
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A '''vagrant''' north to [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]] and to several Middle Eastern countries.
 
  
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
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====Subspecies====
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This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>.
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Two subspecies are listed here following the dated Clements taxonomy<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>; these are split as two separate species by most other recent authorities in view of the distinct morphological and ecological differences between the two, and the discovery that Northern Harrier is genetically closer to the South American [[Cinereous Harrier]] than it is to Hen Harrier<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[5]]]</sup>.
 
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*''C. c. cyaneus '' (Hen Harrier):
 
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::[[Eurasia]]
 
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*''C. c. hudsonius'' (Northern Harrier):
 
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::[[North America]]; winters to northern [[South America]]
 
  
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The Northern Harrier was formerly known as the Marsh Hawk; it has rufous-spotted flanks and thighs in males (like [[Cinereous Harrier]] but less marked), and darker upperparts and more orange underparts in females. It has occurred as a vagrant in the [[Azores]], the [[Faroes]] and in [[Britain]].
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Formerly treated as a subspecies of [[Hen Harrier]] in older versions of Clements and IOC, and still so by Howard & Moore<sup>[[#References|[7]]]</sup>, but now split into two separate species in view of the distinct morphological and ecological differences between the two, and the discovery that Northern Harrier is genetically closer to the South American [[Cinereous Harrier]] than it is to Hen Harrier<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|[5]]]</sup>.
  
 
==Conservation==
 
==Conservation==
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Hen Harrier populations are secure in some areas, but in others, notably Great Britain, have suffered massive declines due to determined criminal persecution by game-shooting estates. Northern Harrier populations are secure.
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Northern Harrier populations are secure.
  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 +
[[Image:Northern Harrier11.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Adult female<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|Kibet|Kibet}}<br />Oakland, [[California]], [[USA]], 27 November 2016]]
 
Breeds in marshes, grasslands and heathlands, sometimes in mountains, often in cultivated areas.  
 
Breeds in marshes, grasslands and heathlands, sometimes in mountains, often in cultivated areas.  
 +
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 
====Flight====
 
====Flight====
 
Like all harriers, hunts using a low, slow flight over the ground, with their wings held in a shallow "V", then plunge onto their prey.   
 
Like all harriers, hunts using a low, slow flight over the ground, with their wings held in a shallow "V", then plunge onto their prey.   
 +
 
====Diet====
 
====Diet====
 
Includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and carrion.  
 
Includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and carrion.  
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They take 2 - 3 years to mature, but may attempt breeding in their first year.
 
They take 2 - 3 years to mature, but may attempt breeding in their first year.
 +
 
====Vocalisation====
 
====Vocalisation====
 
'''Call''': ''kek, kek, kek''
 
'''Call''': ''kek, kek, kek''
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<flashmp3>Circus cyaneus (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
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''[[Media:Circus cyaneus (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug11}}#{{Ref-GillDonsker11V2.10}}#Simmons, R. E. (2000). ''Harriers of the World''. OUP, Oxford, UK.
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#{{Ref-GillDonskerRasmussen20V10.1}}#Simmons, R. E. (2000). ''Harriers of the World''. OUP, Oxford, UK.
 
#Ferguson-Lees, J., & Christie, D. A. (2001). ''Raptors  of the World''. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, New York.
 
#Ferguson-Lees, J., & Christie, D. A. (2001). ''Raptors  of the World''. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, New York.
−
#Dobson, A. D. M., & Clarke, M. L. (2011). Inconsistency in the taxonomy of Hen and Northern Harriers: causes and consequences. ''British Birds'' 104:192-201.
+
#Dobson, A. D. M., & Clarke, M. L. (2011). Inconsistency in the taxonomy of Hen and Northern Harriers: causes and consequences. ''British Birds'' 104: 192-201.
−
#Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
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#{{Ref-Collins5th93}}#Dickinson, E. C., & Remsen, J. V., eds. (2013). The Howard and Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world. 4th edition vol. 1. Aves Press, Eastbourne, UK.
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#The Peregrine Fund
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#Global Raptor Information Network. 2020. Species account: Northern Harrier ''Circus hudsonius''. Downloaded from http://www.globalraptors.org on 8 May. 2020
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#Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds 1966
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#[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3171993 Birdforum thread] discussing the taxonomy of harriers.
 +
#Smith, K. G., S. R. Wittenberg, R. B. Macwhirter, and K. L. Bildstein (2020). Northern Harrier (''Circus hudsonius''), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.norhar2.01
 +
#Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2019. All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. https://www.allaboutbirds.org Accessed on 8 May 2020
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 +
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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{{GSearch|Circus+cyaneus}}
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{{GSearch|Circus+hudsonius }}
 
<br />
 
<br />
 
{{Video|Northern_Harrier}}
 
{{Video|Northern_Harrier}}
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<br />
 
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This link searches for videos titled Hen Harrier
 
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{{Video|Hen_Harrier}}
 
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Circus]][[Category:Bird Songs]][[Category:Videos]]
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[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Circus]][[Category:Videos]]

Revision as of 07:28, 8 May 2020

Male
Photo © by blubird
Las Gallinas, San Rafael, California, 18 December 2008

Alternative name: Marsh Hawk

Circus hudsonius

Identification

Juvenile
Photo © by Kadawe
Newbury Massachusetts, 6 October 2017

A medium-sized raptor, 43-58 cm (17¾-21¾ in) long and 97-122 cm wingspan; males smaller (350 g), females larger (530 g)
Male

  • Grey head and upper parts
  • Six outer primaries black
  • White rump
  • Back and wing (except for outer primaries) grey, mottled darker
  • Underparts pale grayish-white, with scattered orange-brown streaks on breast and flanks

Female

  • Quite a bit larger than the male
  • Brown upperparts
  • Brownish-white underparts, streaked and mottled darker
  • Very noticeable white rump

Juvenile

  • Similar to adult female but less streaked below and distinctly orange-toned

In flight

  • Shows five obvious 'fingered' (emarginated) primaries unless in moult.

Similar species

Adult male
Photo © by Stanley Jones
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers County, Texas, USA, 1 February 2018

None within its normal range. See Hen Harrier for distinction from that species in Europe where Northern Harrier is a rare vagrant. Southernmost wintering birds in the far north of South America need to be distinguished from Cinereous Harrier; that differs in males with more heavily orange-brown streaked underparts.

Distribution

Widespread in the North America, breeding over most of Alaska except the far north and Canada south of the tree-line. Also breeds over much of the western and northern contiguous 48 states of the USA except for the south and south-east USA. Southernmost breeding limit is northern Baja California. Winters from southern Canada and throughout the USA, and from Mexico to Panama, rarely the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela. It has also occurred as a vagrant in the Azores, the Faroes and in Britain.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species[1][2].

Formerly treated as a subspecies of Hen Harrier in older versions of Clements and IOC, and still so by Howard & Moore[7], but now split into two separate species in view of the distinct morphological and ecological differences between the two, and the discovery that Northern Harrier is genetically closer to the South American Cinereous Harrier than it is to Hen Harrier[1][2][3][4][5].

Conservation

Northern Harrier populations are secure.

Habitat

Adult female
Photo © by Kibet
Oakland, California, USA, 27 November 2016

Breeds in marshes, grasslands and heathlands, sometimes in mountains, often in cultivated areas.

Behaviour

Flight

Like all harriers, hunts using a low, slow flight over the ground, with their wings held in a shallow "V", then plunge onto their prey.

Diet

Includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and carrion.

Breeding

They build a nest of sticks and grass on the ground in thick heather, grass or shrubs. The clutch consists of three to six eggs which are incubated by the female for 29 - 31 days, fledging after about a month later.

They take 2 - 3 years to mature, but may attempt breeding in their first year.

Vocalisation

Call: kek, kek, kek

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Gill F, D Donsker & P Rasmussen (Eds). 2020. IOC World Bird List (v10.1). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.10.1. Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
  3. Simmons, R. E. (2000). Harriers of the World. OUP, Oxford, UK.
  4. Ferguson-Lees, J., & Christie, D. A. (2001). Raptors of the World. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, New York.
  5. Dobson, A. D. M., & Clarke, M. L. (2011). Inconsistency in the taxonomy of Hen and Northern Harriers: causes and consequences. British Birds 104: 192-201.
  6. Peterson, RT, G Mountfort and PAD Hollom. 1993. Collins Field Guide – Birds of Britain and Europe, 5th Revised edition. London: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0002199001
  7. Dickinson, E. C., & Remsen, J. V., eds. (2013). The Howard and Moore complete checklist of the birds of the world. 4th edition vol. 1. Aves Press, Eastbourne, UK.
  8. Global Raptor Information Network. 2020. Species account: Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius. Downloaded from http://www.globalraptors.org on 8 May. 2020
  9. Birdforum thread discussing the taxonomy of harriers.
  10. Smith, K. G., S. R. Wittenberg, R. B. Macwhirter, and K. L. Bildstein (2020). Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.norhar2.01
  11. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2019. All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. https://www.allaboutbirds.org Accessed on 8 May 2020

Recommended Citation

External Links


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