tags: Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] female Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus, photographed on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands in South Dakota. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Terry Sohl, 26 November 2008 [larger view]
Photo taken with a Canon 50D, 400 5.6L.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Female Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus. You can see the facial disc, and it's female by the streaky breast.
Darn. Got it wrong myself. I was fooled as I thought the tail should look longer so I discounted harrier despite the other evidence. Then I saw Robyn's answer, checked my bird guide, and I see Robyn is right.
Agreed, Northern Harrier, and note the (proportionally) l-o-n-g wings.
I always called them Marsh Hawks. Is that improper?
it has a falcon shaped head. what a beautiful bird.
Their common name used to be Marsh Hawk, but it got changed. I don't recall why anymore, I think it has something to do with a similar name in Europe, but I could be wrong on that count.
I still call them Marsh Hawks unless I am talking to someone else! I like that name better. :)
called Hen Harrier in the UK unpopular with game keepers as they feed on young grouse on the moors.