Bird Guide

Pied Harrier vs White-headed Vulture

Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos)

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
White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis)

White-headed Vulture

Trigonoceps occipitalis

Huge3.0 kgShrubland

The white-headed vulture is a medium-sized vulture, 72–85 centimetres (28–33 in) in length and with a wingspan of 207–230 centimetres (81–91 in). Females have an average weight of 4.7 kilograms (10 lb), while males are generally lighter at 4 kilograms (8.8 lb) or less. This species is unique among African vultures as it shows a degree of reversed sexual dimorphism, where females are somewhat larger than males. It has a pink beak and a white crest, and the featherless areas on its head are pale. It has dark brown upper parts and black tail feathers.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: hyper7pro · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Pied Harrier and White-headed Vulture.