Class Aves
Order Kites
Family Eagles and Kites
Genus Circus

Credit: Kevin Cole

North American field guide

Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneus

Also known as:Marsh Hawk, Hen Harrier

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

43-61 cm (17-24") Fairly common and widespread. Marshes, grasslands, prairies, fields.

Slim crow-sized hawk; owl-like face; long tail; prominent white rump. Glides, tilting low over ground on long upraised wings held in a shallow V; may hover.

Male: gray above; white below; black wing tips.

Female: brown above; streaked brown below.

Immature: brown above; rich cinnamon below with streaking only on breast.

Song: whistle "pee,pee,pee".

Details in the field

Photo gallery

5 photos

Credit: Peter Baer

Credit: Dan Dzurisin

Credit: Kenneth Cole Schneider

Credit: Tom Talbott

Credit: Rick Leche

Watch and learn

Videos

4 videos

Northern Harrier - Marsh Hawk

Credit: ciapekdrapek

Northern Harrier takes a Duck (Grebe?)

Credit: Claire Herzog

Northern Harrier ハイイロチュウヒ（オス）

Credit: pikapikavan

Secrets of the Pine Barrens: Northern Harrier

Credit: dondub722

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 3 variants 6 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Northern Harrier (Female)

2 rules

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 7

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the rump or lower back · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:399-northern-harrier-female:1:1 Source: 399 Northern Harrier (Female), row 1

Rule 2 10 criteria confidence 7

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:399-northern-harrier-female:2:1 Source: 399 Northern Harrier (Female), row 2

Northern Harrier (Immature)

2 rules

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 7

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the rump or lower back · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:400-northern-harrier-immature:1:1 Source: 400 Northern Harrier (Immature), row 1

Rule 2 10 criteria confidence 7

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:400-northern-harrier-immature:2:1 Source: 400 Northern Harrier (Immature), row 2

Northern Harrier (Male)

2 rules

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 7

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the wings and underbody · On the rump or lower back · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What colour were the WING TIPS ?: Black or dark gray · Unknown
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:398-northern-harrier:1:1 Source: 398 Northern Harrier, row 1

Rule 2 9 criteria confidence 7

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?: Yes · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:398-northern-harrier:2:1 Source: 398 Northern Harrier, row 2