northern harrier

noun

: a widely distributed brown or grayish hawk (Circus cyaneus) that inhabits open and marshy regions and has a conspicuous white patch on the rump

called also marsh hawk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web More vegetation along the wetlands means better nesting for mallards, northern harrier hawks and other species. —

James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'northern harrier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of northern harrier was in 1980

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near northern harrier

northern giant hornet

northern harrier

northern hartebeest

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Northern harrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northern%20harrier. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

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