northern harrier

Tag

By the Grey Ghost and his mate, 2 photos

Pair of northern harriers: the “grey ghost” as he is known in the birding world and his mate.
The light bird, the “ghost” is the male.
Note how he indeed looks like a “ghost” of the beautifully colored female harrier.
What isn’t shown here is the topside of the grey ghost which is a subtly grey, elegant set of feathers.
I think he is called a ghost for the grey topside, the pale ghosting image of his bottom side and…
the grey ghost is elusive and seldom noticed.
The Grey Ghost has long been on my bucket list…now to get a portrait on him perched on a post displaying his grey topside…

northern harrier pair

the Grey Ghost

northern harrier male

By doubled

WALK4195 - Version 2 2 harriers at dam 2014

These two northern harriers are almost mirror images –
the one in front is immature (female I think) and the one in back is a mature female.

By well equipped

WALK2567 female harrier Mattamuskeet 2014

Using both her hearing, which is enhanced by her facial ruff, and her raptor-sharp eyes
this female northern harrier has left her perch and is on the hunt.

By hearing

_RK_3433 northern harrier female flight sm 2014

This female northern harrier uses her prominently disked face, like that of an owl, to help her hear and hunt voles and mice in the marsh.

By twisting

_RK_3424 northern harrier dive 2014

northern harrier hawk in a twisting dive seeking prey in the half-dried marsh