Bonanza Bird #6: Northern Harrier

July 15, 2012 in Birds of Prey and Birdorable Bonanza 2012 with 8 comments

Today's new bird in the Birdorable Bonanza 2012 is the Northern Harrier.

In most birds of prey, males and females have similar plumage. The Northern Harrier is an exception to this rule. Males have a mostly grey plumage, while females have a brownish plumage. Northern Harriers have a unique flight style, swooping low over fields and prairies looking for prey items with a butterfly-like flapping pattern.

Northern Harrier by canorus

The tendency to soar low over the ground combined with their unique plumage has earned male Northern Harriers a cute nickname: Grey Ghost.

Sample Northern Harrier t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is a South American species of parrot with a raptoresque name. Can you guess what it will be?

Comments

Tough Titmouse on July 15, 2012 at 12:02 PM wrote:

Wow... I personally think the female is prettier... LOL

bluegrosbeak on July 15, 2012 at 12:24 PM wrote:

what does raptoresque mean, i searched all over the web and could not find anything, maybe you can help me

Birdorable on July 15, 2012 at 12:25 PM wrote:

@bluegrosbeak - I just kind of made up that word! It means "raptor-like". :)

laurakeet on July 15, 2012 at 1:25 PM wrote:

that bird stumps me, my best guess is the hoatzin, but that wouldn't be a parrot... although it has similar features as the picture and has similar range. am I correct?

laurakeet on July 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM wrote:

forget what i said before... it isn't an amazon... or a macaw... I don't know what it is!

laurakeet on July 15, 2012 at 1:34 PM wrote:

I got it! A hawk-head parrot!

Louise Warner on March 6, 2017 at 8:22 AM wrote:

hawk-head parrot?

Birder on December 18, 2020 at 8:15 PM wrote:

Red fan parrot

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