Harrier (bird)

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Harriers
File:Monties.jpg
Montagu's harrier
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
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Subfamily:
Circinae
Genera

Circus
Geranospiza
Polyboroides

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A harrier is any of the several species of diurnal hawks forming the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds. The young of the species are sometimes referred to as ring-tail harriers.

Details

Most harriers are placed in the genus Circus, the scientific name arising from the circling movements female and male make when courting. Two other harriers are in the genus Polyboroides, the harrier-hawks, which are allopatric (geographically separated) and restricted to the Afrotropic ecozone. The remaining single species forms the monotypic genus Geranospiza.

Ring-tails

Ring-tail is an informal term used by birders for the juveniles and females of several harrier species when seen in the field and not identifiable to an exact species. Ring-tail harriers include the juveniles and females of Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus); northern or hen harrier (Circus cyaneus); and pallid harrier (Circus macrourus).

Species list

BirdLife International recognises an additional species the northern harrier (Circus hudsonius) normally considered a subspecies of the hen harrier[1]

References

  • Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Mead, and Burton. Raptors of the World. London: Christopher Helm, 1999. ISBN 0-7136-8026-1.

Notes

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External links

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az:Belibağlı bg:Блатари br:Skoul ca:Circus de:Weihen (Gattung) es:Circus (género) eu:Mirotz fr:Busard ga:Cromán (éan) io:Buzardo it:Albanella (uccello) he:זרון sw:Kipondya mrj:Кыльы (кек) nn:Kjerrhaukar pcd:Buzàr pl:Circus (ptaki) pt:Tartaranhão fi:Suohaukat sv:Kärrhökar

uk:Лунь

  1. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22727740