The Northern Harrier

by Zach

     Birds are a very engaging, unique species of vertebrate.  All birds have feathers. The contour feathers give the bird its shape and color. The down feathers keep the bird warm. The flight feathers help the bird fly.  Birds molt their feathers at least once a year.  Did you know all birds lay hard-shelled eggs?  They all have two legs.  Most birds are excellent  hearers.  Birds are vertebrates - which means they have backbones.  

The Northern Harrier is a fantastic specimen of bird. It has a dark brown, streaked breast, large white rump patch, narrow black bands across its tail, and its tips of wings are black too!  Its wingspread is 40 to 54'' long, that's pretty big!  It's usually quiet. At the nest it squeaks a kee - kee - kee - kee or a sharp whistle. The harrier's wingspan is 44''. It has a facial disk which helps him hear.  That's preposterous!       

     The northern harrier during migration doesn't hesitate to cross water.  The weather  during migration is winter to force them to go south where it's sweltering.  The habitat is quagmire and open grasslands.

    The eggs are legendary and magnificent.  It has 4 to 6 pale blue,  unmarked eggs or with light brown spots.  Its nest is in a mound of dead reeds and grass in a quagmire or shrubby meadow. The incubation is 31-32 days for female incubation. The provisions for the harrier babies energy revolves around snakes and mice.

    Birds are very unique and engaging species of animal.