African Marsh Harrier vs Long-winged Harrier

African Marsh Harrier

Circus ranivorus

Large507 gWetland

African Marsh harrier females are larger than males and they are 44–47 centimetres (17–19 in) in length, with females being about 30% heavier than males (Simmons and Simmons 2000). Adults, (like the male bird right) have yellow eyes, but brown eyes when immature. Both sexes are mostly brown with pale streakings on the head, breast, forewing and rufous on the thighs and the belly. Adult males differ from females in that they have a pale grey wash to the dorsal secondaries and primaries. The female's are brown.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Diego Rubolini · CC BY 4.0

Long-winged Harrier

Circus buffoni

Large507 gGrassland

The long-winged is mid-sized bird of prey, and like most birds of prey species, the females are larger than the males. Males will weigh from 390 to 464 g (13.8 to 16.4 oz) and females will be slightly heavier, ranging from 400 to 645 g (14.1 to 22.8 oz). Their length can range between 46 and 60 cm (18 and 23.5 in) and their wingspan ranges between 120 and 155 cm (47 and 61 in). As other harrier species, the lon-winged harrier can be identified by its long and narrow tail and its especially long wings.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Dario Niz · Public domain

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: African Marsh Harrier and Long-winged Harrier.