The northern harrier (Circus hudsonius) has a face that resembles an owl, with a sharp, hooked bill, a disk-shaped face, and stiff facial feathers that help direct sound to their ears. The northern harrier has long, broad wings, and a long tail. Northern harriers have a characteristic white rump on its tail. Adult male northern harriers are grayish above and mostly white below, while adult females are pale below with brown streaking.

Northern harrier is found throughout much of North America, breeding from northern Alaska and Canada to southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. It is a resident to long-range migrant, overwintering across the United States to northern South America. Locally, northern harriers have been spotted in Kehl Canyon near Calimesa and Beaumont, as well as other parts of Western Riverside County. You may spot them flying low and slow over open fields with their wings held in a V-shape.

The northern harrier is declining throughout its range and is classified as a California Species of Special Concern. Habitat loss due to development, and reduced nesting and foraging opportunities, has been a major factor for the species’ population decline. Northern harriers are also susceptible to pesticide exposure from consuming pesticide residue found in the tissue of small mammals, its primary source of prey.

Thanks to the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, approximately 300,000 acres of suitable habitat are identified for conservation to support the northern harrier.