No great photography today but some interesting behavior.
I’ve often seen and photographed various bird species hacking up a pellet but this was my first experience with one vomiting.
1/500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
When I first got this Northern Harrier in my viewfinder I thought it was acting slightly odd – it seemed lethargic, reluctant to fly and its head was hanging low. Then it suddenly vomited.
1/500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
The vomitus was thick, mucus-like and stringy and I’m quite sure no pellet was expelled.
I had an email discussion about this behavior with a friend (thanks once again Ingrid) and sent her these photos. They were forwarded to the Cascades Raptor Center who said that this behavior is something they’ve not seen before and that it isn’t “normal”.
When this bird had finished vomiting it stayed perched (very unusual) as I drove through a gate perhaps 25′ to the right of the bird. I drove down the road to let it recover in peace and when I returned about a half hour later it was gone.
Ron
Interesting to see fluids coming out of that end of a hawk. You’ve been closely observing Harriers for a long time- is it common for them to actively drink water, or do they seem to meet their water needs through prey consumption?
Mike, I’ve never once seen a harrier drink water. BNA (Birds of North America) Online out of Cornell says that they “drink in captivity” but they make no mention of them drinking in the wild.
Vomiting aside, those are great photos of the Northerh Harrier, Ron.
Wow. Great photos of a great bird, even with the vomit.
Never seen a bird vomit before. Nice capture though.
Truly fascinating. (I will not enter into discussion about why I find a bird I will never see vomiting). Seriously, I am always intrigued by birds behaviour, and this is something I have never seen.
Congratulations on an exceptional behavioral capture Ron-simply outstanding.
Thanks Chuck. I love behaviors and this was an interesting one.