Montagu's Harrier vs Swamp Harrier

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: Jac. Janssen from Baarlo lb, NL · CC BY 2.0

Swamp Harrier

Circus approximans

Large746 gWetland

The swamp harrier is largely dark brown, becoming lighter with age, and has a distinct white rump. It hunts by flying slowly, low to the ground, on upswept wings. The body length is 48 to 62 cm (19 to 24.5 in), and the wingspan is 118 to 145 cm (3 ft 10 in to 4 ft 9 in). The recorded weights of adults range from 580 to 1,100 g (1.28 to 2.43 lb). Females are significantly larger than the males. In New Zealand, 54 males averaged 640 g (1.41 lb) and 66 females averaged 870 g (1.92 lb).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: William Harland · CC BY 4.0

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