North America, south to north-western Mexico and south-eastern Virginia (USA). Winters south to northern South America. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus).
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) [XC164242]
by Paul Marvin from Road 2182, Nicolet National Forest (north of Argonne), Wisconsin, United States (flight call)
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) [XC599328]
by Paul Marvin from Cayucos, San Luis Obispo County, California, United States (alarm call, bark series)
Subspecies
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus).