http://jerryliguori.blogspot.com/2013/10/juvenile-harrier-color.html
Anyway, juvenile males have yellowish eyes, and juvenile females have brown eyes. Sometimes, juvenile males show a bluish-yellow eye, or even brownish-yellow. Hawk banders know this stuff. Here are some examples below that will help you identify photos of juveniles, of course, noting eye color in the field can be extremely difficult. And remember, fairly streaked juvenile males with yellow eyes can be confused for adult females, so check your photos!
Juvenile Female
Juvenile Female
Juvenile Male
Juvenile Male
5 Comments:
Brilliant images Jerry, I admit I have had some confusion over the eye color of harriers and sexing juveniles. I just don't do it!
Hi Mia...thanks
Eye color is the best way (and really only way unless in hand measurements can be taken). People have argued that the underside plumage differs between male and female juveniles, but its just way too overlapping to say that.
I have a few tricks otherwise to sex juvs in the field but that's not appropriate to this post.
I'm with Mia (in more ways than one...), I've had troubles with this for years so I mostly avoid referencing gender of harriers unless it's obviously an adult male or female. Very helpful, Jerry - thank you!
Great post! Its great to see how bright the juvenile male eyes can be, like your last photo. Good stuff Jerry!
Thanks Bryce and Ron -- I love blogging!
And this was something I learned long ago (1980's) from just being around knowledgeable people, not something I found out on my own. Actually, as Bryce has said a million times to me (that I have a photographic memory), I do remember exactly who showed this to me, It was my birding mentor John Rokita, when we had a Harrier come in to the rehab center for birds in fall of 1987.
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