Some aspects of the winter ecology of harriers on the Texas High Plains

Playa basins (marshy, seasonal lakes) are the primary wintering habitat for Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus) on the Southern High Plains of the Texas Panhandle, The harrier population is predominantly juvenile. The sex ratio within the first-winter age class was 2.86:1, and, although not statistically significant (.1 < P < .5), was accepted as representative of the age class. First-winter harriers used playas more than fields. Playas associated with agriculture were preferred over those associated with rangeland, and playas with vegetation taller than 1 m were preferred over those with shorter vegetation.