The Northern Harrier, though solitary and uncommon, can be found throughout most of North America, although its population has been declining do to habitat loss. Estimates are that the population has decrease by nearly 50% over the past 50 years, putting the current population around 1.4 million birds. Northern Harrier fossils found in Northern Mexico date back 40,000 years ago.
Males are gray and white. Females are larger and brown in color. Juveniles are similar in plumage but young males have pale greenish-yellow eyes, while juvenile females have dark brown eyes. As they mature both sexes' eyes turn yellow.
It has long wings and tail and up close, when perched, resembles an owl more than a hawk which helps it hear prey hiding in the grasses.
In general its habitat is open farmlands, fields, grasslands where it can feed on small mammals and birds.
It usually hunts by flying very low to the ground. Males fly faster than females.
The Northern Harrier is welcomed by farmers because it keeps the mouse population in check.
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