Eastern Marsh Harrier vs Pallid Harrier

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Circus spilonotus

Large559 gWetland

It is 48 to 58 cm long with a wingspan of 113 to 137 cm; like most birds of prey, the female is usually larger than the male. The male's plumage is variable; typically the head, breast, back and wing-coverts are blackish with pale streaks. The rest of the wing is grey with black wingtips and a white front edge. The tail is grey, the rump is white and the underparts are mostly white. The female is dark brown with buff streaking on the head and underparts. The rump is often whitish and the tail has dark bars. Young birds are dark brown with buff on the head and a pale patch on the underwing.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by steve · Call · Ögiy, O'giinuur, Arkhangai, Mongolia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wich'yanan L · CC BY 4.0

Pallid Harrier

Circus macrourus

Large384 gGrassland

This is a typical harrier, with long wings held in a shallow V in its low flight. It also resembles other harriers in having distinct male and female plumages. Adults measure 40–48 cm (16–19 in) long with a wingspan of 95–120 cm (37–47 in). Males weigh 315 g (11.1 oz) while the slightly larger females weigh 445 g (15.7 oz). The male is whitish grey above and white below, with narrow black wingtips. It differs from the hen harrier in its smaller size, narrower wings, paler colour, and different wing tip pattern.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Eastern Marsh Harrier and Pallid Harrier.