harrier
1. Bird Name
The English name for this bird is the Harrier. The scientific or Latin name is Circus cyaneus. This bird belongs to the Accipitridae family.
2. Appearance
Harriers display sexual dimorphism, meaning that males and females have different appearances. Males have pale grey plumage with black wingtips, while females and juveniles are brown with a white rump and banded tail. Harriers have a distinctive, hooked beak for tearing meat and piercing eyes that vary from dark brown to yellow. Their feathers are of a smooth texture and their long, slender wings, and tail are designed for extended periods of flight.
3. Size
The Harrier is a medium-sized bird. Their average body length ranges from 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in), and their wingspans can expand from 97 to 122 cm (38 to 48 in). Harriers typically weigh between 300 to 650 grams (11 to 23 oz).
4. Habitat & Distribution
Harriers are generally found in the regions of North America and Eurasia. They prefer open habitats like marshes, grasslands and agricultural fields. They also revel in vast spaces with tall vegetation where they can freely hunt.
5. Interesting Facts
Harriers have a unique hunting style, they fly low over the ground with their face pointing down to detect prey using both vision and hearing. They are among the few raptor species that use hearing to find prey. Harriers can also do something called “sky-dancing,” especially during courtship when males perform a series of dramatic aerial acrobatics.
6. Diet
Harriers primarily feed on small mammals like mice, rabbits, and voles. They also eat small birds, insects, and reptiles. They hunt by soaring and circling low over the ground and diving onto prey when spotted.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Harriers are solitary and largely silent birds, except during breeding season when they may emit a chattering call or a sharp “kek-kek-kek”. They are diurnal (active during the day) and have a distinctive flight pattern that includes circling low over the ground with wings held in a V-shape while hunting.
8. Conservation Status
Some species of Harriers are considered of “Least Concern” according to the IUCN Red List, however, the Marsh Harrier, for instance, is listed as “Near Threatened” due to habitat loss and persecution.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, Harriers live for about 8 to 15 years. The lifespan in captivity can often exceed this due to the absence of predators and consistent food supply.
10. Additional Notes
In Mandarin Chinese, Harrier is called “臭鼬鹰” or “skunk eagle” due to male’s black-and-white pattern. Harriers play a crucial role in ecosystems as they help control rodent and small mammal populations. They often coexist peacefully with humans as they prefer wide open spaces for hunting, which can include farmland and fields. However, they are susceptible to habitat loss due to changes in agricultural practices.
