In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Northern Harrier in 8 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Northern Harrier.
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How to Draw a Northern Harrier - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Draw a curve that ends in a sharp bend back under itself for the head and beak, with another line sloping down from under the beak.
Step 2: Draw a seed shape with a dot in it in the middle-top of the head.
Step 3: Draw a curve angling down and to the side from each end of the head.
Step 4: From the upper end of the rear, draw a wavy line that angles down and back, then bends up into the other side of the body, ending a little below the head.
Step 5: From the underbelly, draw two lines going down that end in a four-pointed shape.
Step 6: In the gap between the underside and the wing, draw a long V-shape.
Step 7: Draw small line patterns all over the body.
Step 8: Draw two long lines under the foot with small wavy lines in between them to create a stump for your bird to stand on. You have drawn a northern harrier! You can color it grey with a white underside and black wingtips, (male) or brown with a light brown underside and white tail markings (female). These birds mainly eat rodents, and never go after domestic poultry, which has made them a well-liked bird amongst farmers.
Interesting Facts about Northern Harriers
Northern Harriers have a broad range across North America and Eurasia. They breed in the summer in Canada and Northeast USA. In the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, they live year round and in winter they will live in the Mid Atlantic Southeast and Southwest USA along with Mexico.They are a medium sized bird with a length of 18 to 20 inches. Looking like an owl and a face similar to them, their bill is sharply hooked and they fly with their wings V-shaped.
Did you know?
- Northern Harriers wingspan is 40 to 46 ? inches wide and weigh about 10.6 to 26 ? ounces.
- The oldest Northern Harrier was 15 years 4 months old when captured and released in 2001.
- Northern Harriers resemble an owl the most out of all the hawks but not related to owls.
- Juvenile females have dark chocolate brown eyes and juvenile males have greenish yellow eyes.
- Male Northern Harriers can have up to five mates but most only have one or two.
- Fossils from 11,000 to 40,000 years ago from Northern Harriers have been found in Northern Mexico.
Look for Northern Harriers in open grassland, fields or marshes from fall through spring. They breed in these areas and their nests are also concealed in the grasses or marshes. You can notice them when they fly with the slow, low coursing flight style.
How to Draw a Northern Harrier – Step-by-Step Tutorial