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Northern Harrier?

Last post 06-22-2008, 4:43 AM by cnybirder. 8 replies.
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  •  06-21-2008, 7:12 AM 47209

    Northern Harrier?

    Attachment: Mystery Raptor.jpg
    I saw and photographed this raptor, yesterday, but find that my field guides are not very helpful. I reasonably certain that I glimpsed a white band on the top of the base of its tail in flight just before this photo; however, Kaufman's field guide says that Northern Harriers have yellow eyes, while this one has red. Is it a female Northern Harrier?

    Chris Paulis
    Ellicott City, MD
    Filed under:

  •  06-21-2008, 7:29 AM 47211 in reply to 47209

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    Chris,

    My first impression is a juvenile accipiter - Cooper's or Sharp-shinned. How large do you think it was?

    Nancy

  •  06-21-2008, 7:53 AM 47220 in reply to 47211

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    I think that it was a foot tall, give or take.
    Chris Paulis
    Ellicott City, MD

  •  06-21-2008, 8:04 AM 47223 in reply to 47209

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    Looks to be an Accipiter, I would say immature Sharp Shinned HAwk

  •  06-21-2008, 2:42 PM 47271 in reply to 47209

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    Immature Sharp shinned hawk.

  •  06-21-2008, 4:14 PM 47281 in reply to 47209

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    One distinctive note for a Northern Harrier besides the white rump patch is the "owl like facial disc" per Sibley's - you have a great shot of your bird and that would have been seen very well.

    I agree with an Accipiter-either Cooper's or Sharp shinned - both adults have the red eyes.

  •  06-21-2008, 5:11 PM 47291 in reply to 47209

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    I agree with immature Sharp-shinned.
    We did not inherit Mother Earth from our ancestors...... we have borrowed Her from our descendants.
    Chief Seattle (paraphrased)

  •  06-21-2008, 7:08 PM 47316 in reply to 47291

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    Why Sharp-shinned? I think this bird is actually a juvenile Cooper's Hawk. It seems to have a fairly large head, as well as thick legs, which would be very thin on the Sharpie. But mainly because of the thin vertical streaks on its chest, which would be much coarser on the Sharpie.

  •  06-22-2008, 4:43 AM 47374 in reply to 47316

    Re: Northern Harrier?

    Ephily:
    Why Sharp-shinned? I think this bird is actually a juvenile Cooper's Hawk. It seems to have a fairly large head, as well as thick legs, which would be very thin on the Sharpie. But mainly because of the thin vertical streaks on its chest, which would be much coarser on the Sharpie.


    I agree, Cooper's was my impression as well.
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