Southern
Adirondack
Audubon
A
chapter of the National Audubon Society
Identifying Northern Harriers,
Rough-legged Hawks and Short-eared
Owls
All
photos on this webpage are copyrighted, and are used here by
permission of the photographer,
Gordon Ellmers, Fort Edward, NY
Please
respect
the artist's copyright
Many thanks to Gordie for allowing Southern
Adirondack Audubon
to use his photos in an effort to educate the
public about wintering raptors, and as an aid for
volunteer surveyors and new birders to become more familiar
with these species.
Northern Harriers
- Note the plumage differences between sexes and
ages; the adult male can be mistaken for a gull from a
distance, his gray mantle above and white wings and body
below with black wingtips, have earned him the nickname
"Gray Ghost;" the female is brown above, light, with
streaking, below; juveniles resemble adult females with a
darker brown head; however, they have a rusty or rufous
wash, with streaks, on the underside. All plumages
have a white rump patch that is conspicuous in flight.
Note also the owl-like face. When perched, this bird
will often be low or on the ground; it may be seen flying
low over fields searching for prey or hovering as it waits
for the right moment to dive.
Male Northern Harriers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Female Northern Harriers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A light-phase Rough-legged Hawk chases a Northern Harrier
Rough-legged Hawks -
There are many plumage variations in this species; light–
and dark–phase birds will also vary by sex. All adult
light–phase birds will show a dark patch at bend of
underwing, dark wingtips and trailing edge to the underwing,
and a dark sub–terminal band on the tail. Wings show
longer than tail when perched, and birds will show a varied
amount of barring on the breast— sometimes showing a solid
dark brown bib. All dark–phase birds will have silvery
flight feathers on the underside with dark coverts; when
perched will look all dark above—the males black; the
females dark brown.
Rough-legged Hawks -
light phase:
1. Compare the plumages of these two subspecies
2.
3.
4.
5.
Rough-legged Hawks -
dark phase:
1. Perched birds shows overall dark coloration.
2.
3. While soaring birds show unmistakable underwing
patterns
4.
5.
Short-eared Owls - studying Gordie's
photos below is the best way to familiarize yourself with
this species. Note the body shape in flight in the
first two pictures below - wide, flat head, no neck, body
tapers to a point at the tail. Wings are wide and
rounded, brown above but very light underneath with a dark
patch at the bend. At close range, the facial disc and
body shape make this species conspicuous; at long distances
it can be mistaken for a harrier as it works the field in
search of prey. This bird looks more like a giant moth
in flight; the harrier exhibits smoother flight and gliding
actions of a hawk. Also of interest is the variation
in the facial disc—see the fifth and sixth photos below and
note how the disc is "open" in the photo where the bird is
alert and "closed"—almost a heart shape— where the bird is
resting.
1. Short-eared Owl in flight showing plumage color and
body shape.
.
2. Short-eared Owl in flight at dusk.
Compare this picture with #7 and
note the difference in perceived wing length!
3. A safe and warm spot to spend the day.
4. A nice portrait of a perched Short-eared Owl.
5. Short-eared Owls catching some rays!
6. Daytime roost atop a round hay bale.
7. A Short-eared Owl courses over a frozen field in
January of 2007.
