What do you think of when you hear the term “gray ghost?” For some it brings to mind the football player, Tony Canadeo, who played for the Green Bay Packers many years ago and earned his place in the Hall of Fame. Some people think automatically of of Bruce Wayne’s hero in Batman. Others think of Confederate soldier Mosby who led raids on Federal supply lines during the US Civil War and was known for his ability to appear, disappear, and blend in with locals. But did you know there is a hawk that is known as the gray ghost? The male northern harrier has that nickname.
Males have different colouring than females. All the pictures shown here are male northern harriers.
Diet
Northern harriers eat small rodents such as mice and voles. The location of these pictures appears to have many mice and voles. Amongst other things they eat small rabbits and other birds. They say many farmers like northern harriers because they eat mice that damage crops. Harriers are sometimes called “good hawks” because they pose no threat to poultry as some hawks do.
How they Hunt
Northern harriers hunt by flying low to the ground in open areas during the daytime. I frequently see them flying in the late afternoon before the owls come up. When hunting, harriers circle an area several times listening and looking for prey. They can hover and make sharp turns. When they spot prey, they swoop down and grab the prey with their sharp claws. They will also steal prey from owls, which I have seen them try to do at the location pictured.
Native American Symbolism
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife some Native American tribes believe that seeing a hawk on your wedding day is a sign of a long, happy marriage.
This bird has been ghost like and elusive to me. This is the first year I have seen it up close enough to get good shots. Maybe it was tired of the attention the owls were getting. Have a great rest of your week.
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 