Bird Guide

Long-winged Harrier vs Spotted Harrier

Long-winged Harrier (Circus buffoni)

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
Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis)

Spotted Harrier

Circus assimilis

Large559 gGrassland

The spotted harrier is a medium-sized, slender bird of prey with adult females reaching 58–61 cm. Both adults and juvenile birds have an owl-like facial ruff that creates the appearance of a short, broad head as well as long yellow legs. The spotted harrier's wings feature prominent black tips and the tail is prominently barred and slightly wedge shaped. Adult males are much smaller than the females only growing to 50–55 cm. Adult birds have blue to grey upper parts with a chestnut face and underparts that feature numerous white spots.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: finch_fanatic · CC0

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