The Birds Of A Feather series highlights the unique birdlife and avian habitat of the local area. We’ve seen all these birds at or near the cache sites and hope that in your geocaching, you too will see these wonderful winged creatures. And do take the time to enjoy the amazing dike system and mountain views as well.
photo by Walter Ammann
A long-winged, long-tailed hawk of open grassland and marshes, the Northern Harrier forages by flying slowly low above the ground looking for small rodents, sometimes hovering above its prey before plunging down (this ability was how the Harrier Jump Jet, made famous in the Falklands War, derived its name). It is one of the few raptors in which the sexes look quite different: the male is white below with a light gray back and hood, the female is mottled in browns.
The Northern Harrier feeds primarily on mice, other small mammals, and small birds. It will, however, take larger prey, such as rabbits and ducks. It has been known to subdue large prey by drowning it.
Congratulations to...
FTF: The Stainless Steel Rat
STF: RPayment
TTF: shyloh88
Birds Of A Feather Series
Birds Of A Feather: Bittern Sweet
Birds Of A Feather: Courting Cranes
Birds Of A Feather: Hovering Harrier
Birds Of A Feather: Meandering Mergansers
Birds Of A Feather: Ospreys Overhead
Birds Of A Feather: Owl Outpost