"Ringtail" Harrier ID - South Africa (1 Viewer)

Hi

I photographed this bird in the Kgalagadi Park in South Africa in January.

Both Pallid and Montagu's harriers are rare migrants to the area.

I have never seen either species before but my best guess is that this is a female pallid based on the the Sasol guide's advice that the dark cheek crescent below the eye in the female pallid 'curves towards the base of the bill' but in Montagu's 'the crescent does not extend forward beyond the centre of the eye'.

Sorry I wasn't able to get a shot of the wings, but all suggestions welcome.

Looks like Pallid in my limited experience.
Don’t know what young Black look like but assume would be much darker? Good find in any case.

female Pallid indeed

thanks guys