Montagu's Harrier

Circus pygargus

Photo by jankees

Photo taken: Netherlands

Identification

A lengthy thread which discusses separation from Hen Harrier [[1]]

Distribution

Eurasia and Africa. A very patchy range across Europe, widespread in Spain but found in scattered pockets from France east to the Baltic States and Poland, and south to Romania. More continuous in Belarus and Ukraine and east across Russia. Isolated outposts in southern Britain, central Sweden and southern Finland, Turkey and North-West Africa. Extremely rare breeder in Britain with very small numbers present in summer and few successful nests. To the east range extends to northern Iran, Turkestan and Kazakstan, possibly into China in western Sinkiang.

Occurs as a passage migrant across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa concentrating in particular at Gibraltar. Rarely recorded in the region in winter, most migrate to sub-Saharan Africa occurring from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south through the eastern half of the continent to South Africa. The commonest wintering harrier in much of Africa. Most have left Europe by mid-October and return in April. Vagrants have been recorded in Iceland.

Habitat

Marshes, reedbeds and cultivated land, especially cornfields, also moorland and heathland and rough grassland.

Bird Song

<flashmp3>Circus pygargus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

External Links

Search for photos of Montagu's Harrier in the gallery

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages