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
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.
