How to Spot a Northern Harrier

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Learn about the Northern Harrier's habitat and range. The Northern Harrier can be seen near grasslands, pastures, wetlands, marshes and prairies. They live throughout most of North America and in Eurasia in the summer. In the winter, you'll spot them in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Eurasia.
Step 2:
Observe the physical appearance of this type of hawk. Male Northern Harriers have white underparts and light gray upperparts with black wingtips. Female Northern Harriers have brown upperparts and brown mottled underparts. Both male and female Northern Harriers have long, square tails and long, slender wings. They have dark bills, yellow eyes and yellow-orange feet. These birds also have yellow skin near the base of the bill and a cluster of feathers around their face.
Step 3:
Note the Northern Harrier's size. These birds of prey are medium sized hawks, ranging in length from 18 to 20 inches. They also have a large wingspan that ranges from 40 to 48 inches, and typically weigh between 11 to 25 ounces.
Step 4:
Listen to the sounds made by the Northern Harrier. During courtship, these birds can be heard making a shrill "kek" or "ke" sound. These sounds repeat in series. You'll also hear them making a descending scream during flight.
Step 5:
Watch the Northern Harrier in flight. Unlike most other hawks, Northern Harriers don't soar high above the ground. They usually fly at low heights as they look for food. During flight, their wings appear elevated in a V-shaped pattern. These birds fly alternating long gliding motions with deep wing movements.

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