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Kingdom: Animalia Northern Harrier |
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| Description
You are visitor # Last updated 11/12/02 |
Nesting:
The ground nesting of harriers sets them apart from other raptors except for nocturnal predators such as owls (Strigidae) (Simmons 2000). Northern Harriers build there nests using reed stems, grass, and twigs. The Harriers nesting habitat varies depending on the type of climate, in wet areas the nesting site will usually be in marsh areas among cattails. In dry areas the nesting site can be found among low brush or sage (Dekker 1996). The female will usually lay 4-5 pale blue eggs, sometimes marked with light brown spots. The nest is made of dead reeds or grass in a marsh or shrubby meadow. The incubation period is 31-32 days and chicks fledge at 30-35 days (Hammerstrom1986). |