The Northern Harrier is the only hawk that regularly hunts by sound as well as sight, using a facial disc like an owl to funnel sound. It flies low over marshes and meadows, tilting on bowed wings and dropping suddenly on prey. The gray male and brown female look so different they were once considered separate species; both show a distinctive white rump patch.
Best time to see a Northern Harrier
The best time to see a Northern Harrier is October–February, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 45,262 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Northern Harrier? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Northern Harrier sightings near you
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