<< Previous Next >>

Northern Harrier


Northern Harrier
Photo Information
Copyright: PETER TAMAS (sirianul) Silver Note Writer [C: 0 W: 0 N: 88] (621)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: CANON 1Ds Mark III, Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM
Exposure: f/11, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-22 19:09
Viewed: 636
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A long-winged, long-tailed hawk of open grassland and marshes, the Northern Harrier forages by flying slowly low above the ground looking for small rodents. It is one of the few raptors in which the sexes look quite different: the male is white below with a light gray back and hood, the female is mottled in browns.
Cool Facts;
Most male Northern Harriers are mated to one or two females at the same time. Some males pair with up to five mates in a season. Females incubate the eggs and brood the offspring, while the male provides the bulk of the food for his mates and their nestlings.
Unlike other hawks, the Northern Harrier relies on its hearing as well as its vision to capture prey. The feathers of the face are stiff to help transmit sound, and it shows a pronounced "facial disk," much like that of an owl.
The Northern Harrier feeds primarily on mice, other small mammals, and small birds. It will, however, take larger prey, such as rabbits and ducks. It has been known to subdue large prey by drowning it.
Description
topSize: 46-50 cm (18-20 in)
Wingspan: 102-118 cm (40-46 in)
Weight: 300-750 g (10.59-26.48 ounces)
Medium-sized hawk.
Long tail.
Long, slender, rounded wings.
White rump.
Flies low, with wings held up in slight "V."
Ruff of feathers around face.
Yellow skin at base of bill.
Bill dark with bluish base.
Eyes yellow.
Legs and feet orange-yellow.

Sex Differences
Male gray on back, light below, and wingtips black. Female brown on back and striped brown and white below. Female larger.

Male
Head, back, and upper chest light gray. Chest and belly white, usually with some rusty markings extending onto flanks. Wingtips black. Line of black on rear of wings. Underwings white. Tail darkish gray above and whitish below, with some barring. Rump white.

Female
Back dark brown, with many feathers edged with tawny. Face streaked brown and whitish. Face outlined by white facial disk. Chest and belly streaked dirty white and tan. Rump white. Upper side of wings brown, lower side barred white and dark brown. Tail brown with dark bars.

Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi! Peter,
Good picture it`s Majestic bird wow! the color is very nice and the details of the feathers is good and the eyes of the bird is pierced.Good capture
Bravo!
Gaston

Hello Peter,
Great capture, excellent sharpness, beautiful natural colors, nice details and wonderful pose.
Angela

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 649 W: 15 N: 1607] (6263)
  • [2008-12-22 22:31]

Hi Peter
Nice capture, interesting composition, good details and excellent sharpness.
Regards.
Razvan Zinica

Hello Peter

A terrific portrait of this beautiful Harrier.
I can never seem to get a good shot of one of these.
I have been buzzed by them but still no close up.
Excellent plumage detail.
You were lucky to get the head turned towards you,and the owlish face is quite evident.
Nicely done.
TFS

Wolf

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF