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northern harrier
noun
: a widely distributed brown or grayish hawk (Circus hudsonius) that inhabits open and marshy regions and has a conspicuous white patch on the rump
called also marsh hawk
Examples of northern harrier in a Sentence
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
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Word History
First Known Use
1980, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near northern harrier
Cite this Entry
“Northern harrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northern%20harrier. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
northern harrier
noun
: a common brown or grayish hawk especially of fields and marshes that has a white patch on the upper side near the base of the tail
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