Bird Guide

Harris's Hawk vs Montagu's Harrier

Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Harris's Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

Large850 gShrubland

This medium-large hawk is roughly intermediate in size between a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Harris's hawks range in length from 46 to 59 cm (18 to 23 in) and generally have a wingspan of about 103 to 120 cm (41 to 47 in). These hawks have a brownish plumage, reddish shoulders, and tail feathers with a white base and white tip. They exhibit sexual dimorphism with the females being larger by about 35%. In the United States, the average weight for adult males is about 701 g (1.545 lb), with a range of 546 to 850 g (1.204 to 1.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Gabriele Magurno · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Alan Vernon · CC BY 2.0
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Montagu's Harrier

Circus pygargus

Large311 gGrassland

Sexual dimorphism is particularly apparent in the plumage of this species. Adult males are characterized by their overall pale grey plumage contrasting with black wingtips. Compared with other harriers this species has characteristic black bands along the secondaries, both above and below the wing and rusty streaks on belly and flanks. Adult females have a broadly similar plumage to that of pallid and hen harriers. The underparts are mostly pale yellow-brown, the belly with longitudinal stripes and the wing coverts spotted.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Вячеслав Юсупов, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Вячеслав Юсупов · cc-by

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Harris's Hawk and Montagu's Harrier.