Northern Harrier in flight

A Northern Harrier scans a field in Washington State, watching and listening for prey. These birds are opportunistic hunters. Their diet consists mostly of small mammals - voles up to small rabbits - and birds - song birds up to small ducks. Large insects, frogs, toads, snakes, or lizards may be added where available. In addition to a "hawkeye" this hawk has keen hearing and may find some prey by sound when passing low over cover. There it may hover over the unfortunate victim and flush it into open space.

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All photos are © Gregg Thompson and may not be used without permission.