NORTHERN HARRIER Meaning and
Definition
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The 'northern harrier' refers to a bird of prey species, scientific name Circus hudsonius, which belongs to the family Accipitridae. Also known as "marsh hawk" or "hen harrier," it is primarily found in North America as a year-round resident in certain regions. The northern harrier is a medium-sized raptor with distinct characteristics. It typically measures around 16-20 inches in length, with a wingspan of about 40-48 inches.
The plumage of the northern harrier displays sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females have different appearances. Males often exhibit a gray coloration above, pale below, and have black wingtips. Conversely, females and juveniles display more significant variation, with brown or cinnamon shades covering their body and distinct white patches on the rump and base of the tail. Their faces also feature a characteristic owl-like facial disk, with a facial disc helping to enhance hearing.
Northern harriers can be commonly found inhabiting open habitats, including marshes, grasslands, meadows, prairies, and agricultural fields. With their unique hunting technique, known as "sky-dancing," they skim the ground or fly low, searching for prey, which primarily consists of small mammals like voles, mice, rabbits, and occasionally birds. Their sharp vision and hearing, complemented by their facial disk, aid in hunting and capturing prey.
Conservation-wise, the northern harrier is listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating that its population is relatively stable. Nonetheless, threats such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and collisions with vehicles or structures remain causes for concern. As a predator within its ecosystem, the northern harrier plays a vital role in
Common Misspellings for NORTHERN HARRIER
- borthern harrier
- morthern harrier
- jorthern harrier
- horthern harrier
- nirthern harrier
- nkrthern harrier
- nlrthern harrier
- nprthern harrier
- n0rthern harrier
- n9rthern harrier
- noethern harrier
- nodthern harrier
- nofthern harrier
- notthern harrier
- no5thern harrier
- no4thern harrier
- norrhern harrier
- norfhern harrier
- norghern harrier
Etymology of NORTHERN HARRIER
The term "northern harrier" is composed of two parts: "northern" and "harrier".
1. Northern: The term "northern" is derived from the Old English word "norþerne", which means "toward the north". This word itself can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic language.
2. Harrier: The word "harrier" comes from the Old French word "harier", which means "to plunder" or "to ravage". This, in turn, originated from the Old Norse word "herja", meaning "to lay waste" or "to make war".
The term "harrier" is used to describe a type of hunting dog that was originally bred and trained to chase down small game, especially hares. The name was later applied to a specific group of hawks known for their low flying and hunting techniques.
Similar spelling words for NORTHERN HARRIER
- northern dewberry,
- northern hemisphere,
- northern phalarope,
- northern scup,
- northern oak fern,
- northern lights,
- Northern Baptist,
- northern cross,
- northern bedstraw,
- Northern Ireland,
- Northern Rhodesia,
- northern territory,
- northern oriole,
- northern beech fern,
- northern bobwhite,
- Northern Parula,
- Northern Woodsia,
- northern shrike,
- northern snakehead,
- northern mammoth,
- northern whiting,
- northern holly fern,
- northern red oak,
- northern pike,
- northern dune tansy,
- northern pin oak,
- Northern Europe,
- northern lobster,
- northern porgy,
- northern sea robin,
- Northern Alliance,
- Northern Marianas.
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