Northern Harrier

Okay, today's photo is a really terrible picture, but I have mentioned before the problems I have with catching birds in motion.  Even though I didn't get a good photo op,  I saw this guy fairly close up, swooping low over the prairie, and I think he is a male northern harrier, Cicrus cyaneus.

There are much better photos and a good video that give a better idea of this graceful raptor.

Audubonbirds.org gives a good synopsis:  "This is the only North American member of a group of hawks known as harriers. All hunt by flying close to the ground and taking small animals by surprise. They seldom pursue their prey in the air or watch quietly from an exposed perch, as do other birds of prey. Harriers have keener hearing than other hawks; their disk-shaped faces, not unlike those of owls, enable them to amplify sound. This species is often known as the Marsh Hawk."

Whatbird.com has some other interesting info:  "The common name, harrier, is from the Old English word 'herigan' and means to harass or plunder.  Their species name, Circus cyaneus, comes from the Greek word 'kirkos', meaning circle and the word 'cyan' which is a shade of blue. These refer to the Northern Harrier’s flight pattern while hunting and the color of the male bird.  A group of harriers has many collective nouns, including a 'swarm' and a 'harassment' of harriers."

I hope to become better at identifying hawks this year.  And hopefully get some decent photos, too.