Parked near a field at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge around 9:00 in the morning, I noticed a Northern Harrier on the ground. It may have gone unnoticed if it hadn’t started hopping around. Shortly after, it lifted off and skimmed low over the same area. A minute or two later, it was back on the ground, hopping again. It appeared to be using its hearing to pinpoint prey, though I did not hear any calls or other sounds during the hunt.
How Northern Harriers Hunt Low Over Open Fields
After a while, it took flight and began working the field more broadly, moving from one area to another. Northern Harriers are known for their slender, long-winged appearance and are often found hunting low over the ground, using their exceptional hearing to capture prey. During the winter season, they are commonly seen in habitats with low vegetation, including marshes, grasslands, and open floodplains. They forage on the wing and course low over the ground. Their unique hunting behavior involves flying low over the ground, weaving back and forth over fields and marshes as they watch and listen for small animals.
Overall, their foraging behavior leads them to spend a significant amount of time on the ground, making it a common sight to find them in such locations. Spotting a Northern Harrier hunting in its natural habitat offered a unique glimpse into this raptor’s fascinating behavior.
Image Information (Second Image):
- Date: 01/13/24
- Time: 09:18 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- ISO: 1250
- Aperture: 7.1
- Shutter: 1/3200
- Exp. Comp.:-0.7
- Lens (mm): 500