If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

10/6/02 Davis Rd., Imperial County Wildlife Area, Wister Unit, Imperial County CA

11/24/02 San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County, CA 
11/24/02 San Jacinto Wildlife Area

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Northern Harrier

SPECIES: Circus cyan's

FAMILY: Accipitridae (Hawks & Eagles)

LIFE LIST DATE: 10/6/02

LOCATION: Imperial County Wildlife Area, Davis Rd. (Winter Unit), Imperial County, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide: Birds of North America:

BEHAVIOR/HABITAT: A long-winged, long-tailed hawk that hunts by flying low over open fields and marshes, looking and listening for prey. Takes many rodents, also some birds. Perches low or on ground, seldom on tall poles or trees; usually flies low except when migrating. Formerly called Marsh Hawk. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 18" w 44"; Best know by shape and by low, slow flight, wings angles up in a shallow V. Contrasting white rump is conspicuous. Adult males gray with black wingtips. Females and juveniles brown; juvenile is rusty orange below, female whiter with more streaks. 

VOICE: Mostly silent. Sometimes a thin whistle. 
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