Learn 100 Common Valley Birds Blog Post Species #87/100
Few things on earth fill us with as much delight as birds, and knowing them by name only adds to our pleasure. In California’s Central Valley, with only a little bit of effort, anyone can learn 100 local bird species. Especially since on a daily basis Valley Residents come in contact with at least a dozen species that most recognize, but may not know the name of. The intent of this blog is for followers to learn about and be able to identify 100 common valley birds.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Northern Harrier – Circus hudsonius
Name Roots: (L. circus, “a kind of hawk” [circling in the air] – Hudson Bay)
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Medium-sized hawk with long tail and thin wings. Flies with wings held in a V-shape, low over open fields and marshes, listening for rodents lurking below. Distinctive foraging behavior and conspicuous white patch on rump in all plumages. Females and immatures are warm brown. Adult males gray above and whitish below with black wingtips.
DISTRIBUTION STATUS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
The Northern Harrier is a Fairly Common Winter Visitor and Uncommon Summer Visitor in California’s Central Valley and can be found in Freshwater Wetlands and Grasslands.
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