# Northern Harrier (*Circus hudsonius*)

> The northern harrier (Circus hudsonius) is a slim marsh hawk that hunts low over grasslands with owl-like facial discs and a white rump patch. It breeds in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, weighs about 0.35 kg, and is listed Least Concern — though wetland drainage still shrinks nesting marshes.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Marshes and grasslands of Canada, the US, and Mexico.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/northern-harrier/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Accipitriformes
- **Family:** Accipitridae
- **Genus:** Circus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Circus hudsonius |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Marshes and open fields |
| Lifespan | 10–14 years |
| Weight | 0.3–0.5 kg |
| Top speed | up to 50 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Owl-faced marsh hawk

Unlike most hawks, harriers rely on hearing as much as sight. A facial ruff channels sound to asymmetric ears, helping locate voles in dense grass. Males are grey with black wingtips; females and juveniles are brown with the diagnostic white rump.

## Low, coursing hunts

Birds quarter marshes and prairies just above the vegetation, pouncing on voles, mice, frogs, and small birds. Ground nests are built in dense wetland grasses, often near water.

## North American grasslands

Breeding range spans Canadian prairies, Great Lakes marshes, coastal salt meadows, and Mexican highland wetlands. Northern birds migrate south; some southern populations remain resident where prey stays available.

## Wetland loss and rodenticides

Least Concern overall, but drained marshes and intensified agriculture remove nesting cover. Secondary poisoning from rodent baits can kill birds that eat affected prey.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why is the northern harrier called a marsh hawk?

It hunts low over marshes and wet grasslands, coursing back and forth like a dog quartering a field.

### Do northern harriers have owl-like hearing?

Yes — a facial disc and offset ear openings help them locate prey by sound in dense cover.

### What is the white patch on a harrier's rump?

A bright white rump patch visible in flight helps birders identify both sexes and juveniles at a distance.

### Where do northern harriers nest?

On the ground in dense wetland grasses or sedges, often hidden near shallow water.

### Do northern harriers migrate?

Northern breeders move south for winter; birds in milder regions may stay year-round.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/northern-harrier/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.