Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

Its scientific name, Circus, has nothing to do with clowns: it comes from the Greek kirkos, 'circle,' for a hawk that circles in flight. The second half, hudsonius, is for Hudson Bay.

Circus comes from Greek kirkos, 'circle'; hudsonius is for Hudson Bay. 'Harrier' comes from 'harry,' to harass. The sorceress Circe's name may come from the same word, kirkos, 'hawk.'