Pallid harrier

Taxonomy

The scientific name is Ancient Greek. Circus is from kirkos (circle), referring to a bird of prey named for its circling flight ('probably the hen harrier), and macrourus is "long-tailed", from makros (long) and -ouros (-tailed).

Description

This is a typical harrier, with long wings held in a shallow V in its low flight. It also resembles other harriers in having distinct male and female plumages. Adults measure 40 - long with a wingspan of 95 -. Males weigh 315 g while the slightly larger females weigh 445 g. The male is whitish grey above and white below, with narrow black wingtips. It differs from the hen harrier in its smaller size, narrower wings, paler colour, and different wing tip pattern. The female is brown above with white upper tail coverts, hence females and the similar juveniles are often called "ringtails". Her underparts are buff streaked with brown. It is very similar to the female Montagu's harrier, but has a paler belly and a well defined facial pattern.

Behaviour and ecology

Pallid harriers primarily hunt small mammals and birds, surprising them as they drift low over fields and moors. Other food sources include large insects (typically grasshoppers and locusts), lizards and frogs. The nest of this species is on the ground. Three to six, but typically four to five whitish eggs are laid.

References

References

1. BirdLife International. (2018). "''Circus macrourus''".
2. "The Pallid Harrier, a new breeding species for the Netherlands". Grauwe Kiekendief - Kenniscentrum Akkervogels.
3. (29 July 2019). "Pallid Harrier breeds in Spain for first time".
4. Jobling, James A.. (2010). "The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names". Christopher Helm.
5. "Pallid Harrier".