The habitat requirements of the northern harrier are a limiting factor in the Northeast because of the loss of open habitat through the destruction of wetlands and the reforestation of agricultural lands. Harriers typically nest on the ground, either alone or in loose colonies. Northern Harrier Information. Diet: Mostly small mammals such as voles, mice, shrews; also small rabbits; small birds, reptiles, amphibians, large insects. Throughout its breeding range, the Northern Harrier occupies a wide variety of open upland and wetland habitats (Figure 5). They also occur in farmlands, parks, and steppe habitat. The Northern Harrier also occurs in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The northern harrier breeds from Alaska through Canada and the northern half of the United States. Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. Behavior. Length: 16 - 24" Habitat: In the Northeast: Freshwater marshes, saltwater marshes, wet meadows, sloughs, swamps, open fields. Of the 13 species of harriers that occur worldwide, the Northern Harrier is the only one that occurs in North America. The northern harrier (Circus hudsonius) is a bird of prey.. Across its range, the Northern Harrier prefers open habitats, including marshes and grasslands. 2011; Dechant et al. Most spend their winter from the middle United States into Mexico, although harriers from southern Minnesota are occasionally reported in the winter. Harriers use their sense of hearing more than other hawks, flying low over open fields and listening for prey. Habitat. Northern Harriers are open-country birds, often seen soaring low over grassland. [1998] 2002; Slater and Rock 2005). The northern harrier is a grassland raptor generally found in wet meadows. It breeds throughout the northern parts of the northern hemisphere in Canada and the northernmost USA.While many taxonomic authorities split the northern harrier and the hen harrier into distinct species, others consider them conspecific.. The northern harrier has experienced population declines through much of its North American range, and is a species of national management concern listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service due to its dependence on rare and vulnerable habitats 4. It may utilize disturbed sites, such as croplands, lightly grazed pastures, and old fields, as well as native habitats, such as freshwater and alkali wetlands and native prairies (Smith et al. Calls of the Northern Harrier Additional Photos and Information Breeding Habitat. Habitat. During winter, Northern Harriers sometimes roost on the ground in groups. 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