Northern Harrier

The Northern Harrier winters over in the Texas panhandle. It rarely breeds here. Unlike many hawks, the harrier female is distinctly different in appearance from the male. It is also much larger. The Northern Harrier is up to 24" in length with a wingspan of up to 4 1/2 feet. This member of the hawk family has an owl-like facial disc that allows it to hunt by sound as well as sight. Its soft feathers allow for it to silently cruise low over fields, undetected by its prey. Using these ambush tactics, its prey stands no chance of escape.

(Female Northern Harrier)

(More images and info on the Northern Harrier HERE.)

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Northern Harrier

We parked along a road on the south edge of town this morning to see if some local Harriers would do a show for us. They did. There were two or three hunting adjacent fields in their usual manner - flying low over fields and ambushing prey of opportunity. This one slammed on his brakes when he spoted a meal.

(More Northern Harrier photos and info HERE.)

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Northern Harrier

The Northern Harrier cruises low over fields using surprise attacks to capture its prey. They winter in Texas, but very rarely breed in the panhandle. On their menu are rats, snakes, small rabbits, and birds such as red-winged blackbirds. The Royal Air Force was so impressed with the Harrier's maneuverability that they named one of their aircraft after it - the Harrier "Jump Jet".