A Dichromatic Hawk

Dichromatic is our jargon for two colors – as in many male and female birds.

The sexes are similar in coloration for most hawks and eagles, but Harriers – formerly Marsh Hawks – are the obvious North American exception. Adult males are silver like this guy that Jim Fisher photographed, while females are mottled brown.

Harriers are common in the PPR but rarely take ducks. I suspect that dabblers that nest quite close to a Harrier nest in the uplands are protected by their vigilant defense of that local area. Not enough data to say for sure.

Frank