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Topic Categories: Birding • Education • Mystery Birds • Nature • Photography • Teaching
Posted on: June 6, 2009 9:59 AM, by "GrrlScientist"
tags: Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] female Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus, photographed on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands in South Dakota. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Terry Sohl, 26 November 2008 [larger view]
Photo taken with a Canon 50D, 400 5.6L.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
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Comments
Female Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus. You can see the facial disc, and it's female by the streaky breast.
Posted by: Robyn | June 6, 2009 11:27 AM
Darn. Got it wrong myself. I was fooled as I thought the tail should look longer so I discounted harrier despite the other evidence. Then I saw Robyn's answer, checked my bird guide, and I see Robyn is right.
Posted by: Daniel J. Andrews | June 6, 2009 12:21 PM
Agreed, Northern Harrier, and note the (proportionally) l-o-n-g wings.
Posted by: pk1154 | June 6, 2009 5:59 PM
I always called them Marsh Hawks. Is that improper?
Posted by: Gail Storm | June 6, 2009 9:05 PM
it has a falcon shaped head. what a beautiful bird.
Posted by: Adelle | June 6, 2009 9:48 PM
Their common name used to be Marsh Hawk, but it got changed. I don't recall why anymore, I think it has something to do with a similar name in Europe, but I could be wrong on that count.
Posted by: Robyn | June 7, 2009 5:01 AM
I still call them Marsh Hawks unless I am talking to someone else! I like that name better. :)
Posted by: DonnaB | June 7, 2009 5:24 PM
called Hen Harrier in the UK unpopular with game keepers as they feed on young grouse on the moors.
Posted by: Graham Anderson | October 26, 2009 11:27 AM