Pied Harrier vs Reunion Harrier

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos

Large336 gGrassland

The pied harrier is a medium-sized raptor. They measure 41-49cm (16 – 19 in) from the end of the tail to tip of the beak. Adult males weigh 265–325g, while adult females weigh 390–455g. They perch on reeds, posts, or on the ground, rarely on trees. Their wings reach far down their tail but not past the tip. The male is black on the head, neck, back, breast, and primary flight feathers, and white on the forewing, rump, and the rest of its underparts. It has striking yellow eyes. The female is similar looking to that of Montagu's harrier. Voice: The male gives repeated "kiiy yeee" calls and the females gives a rapid "kee-kee-kee" when displaying. If alarmed or disturbed near the nest the female may give a rapid chattering "chak-chak-chak-chak". They are otherwise generally silent, apart from an occasional anxious "wek wek wek".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Wich'yanan L · CC BY 4.0

Reunion Harrier

Circus maillardi

Large664 gForest

It is about 42–55 cm long; the female is around 3–15% larger than the male. The male has a blackish head and back with white streaks. The underparts, underwings and rump are white and the tail is grey. The wings are grey and black with a white leading edge. Females and immatures are dark brown with a white rump and barred tail. The birds are mostly silent except during the breeding season when they give a chattering threat call, a wailing courtship call and chuckling food-associated calls. The Malagasy harrier is larger and paler with longer wings and legs.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Matteo Bellucci · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Pied Harrier and Reunion Harrier.