Northern Harrier!

We enjoyed an encounter with a juvenile Northern Harrier!

Northern Harriers are the most owl-like of hawks, although they are not related to owls. They rely on hearing as well as vision to capture prey. The disk-shaped face looks and functions much like an owl's, with stiff facial feathers helping to direct sound to the ears.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/overview

When we first noticed the Northern Harrier, it was hunting off in the distance. It was centred on the far side of the trail and it took us 10 minutes to walk to that end of the property.

It spent its time flying close to the ground, weaving back and forth above the vegetation. Once it swooped a little closer for a photo. Unlike most other hawks, Northern Harriers rely heavily on their sense of hearing to capture prey.

After 15 minutes of hunting it finally caught something and landed. The characteristic white rump is visible.

Concentration!

We were being watched but stayed well back.

(Photos are heavily cropped.)

Northern Harriers are smaller than Red-tailed Hawks. They have a long tail and thin wings and a small sharply hooked bill.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/id

When the meal was done she left, grabbing a stick. But it was a momentary grab as she quickly let the stick fall to the ground.

After the Harrier departed, we took a look at the fur and entrails - some type of rodent. Northern Harriers hunt mostly small mammals and small birds, but they are capable of taking bigger prey like rabbits and ducks. They sometimes subdue larger animals by drowning them.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/overview

Juvenile males have pale greenish-yellow eyes, while juvenile females have dark chocolate brown eyes. The eye colour of both sexes changes gradually to lemon yellow by the time they reach adulthood. Based upon the eye colour and the feathers on the underside in flight, this is likely a juvenile female.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Harrier/overview

Times embedded on my photos indicate we watched this bird for 27 minutes!!