Long-winged Harrier

About the Long-winged Harrier

The long-winged harrier is a common bird of prey species endemic to South America. They are members of the family Accipitridae, under the genus Circus which encompasses other harrier species. Its range encompasses most of South America, in grassland and wetland all across the continent. The long-winged harrier is a carnivorous bird, and will feed on many different animals found in its habitat. Like owls and other harrier species, the long-winged harrier has a distinctive facial disc, which is used to triangulate the bird's hearing while it is hunting.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Long-winged Harrier lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in Peru.

When to see the Long-winged Harrier

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Eastern Marsh HarrierCircus spilonotusIt is 48 to 58 cm long with a wingspan of 113 to 137 cm; like most birds of prey, the female is usually larger than the male. Cinereous HarrierCircus cinereusThe male's plumage is dark grey above with black wingtips and a white rump. African Marsh HarrierCircus ranivorusAfrican Marsh harrier females are larger than males and they are 44–47 centimetres (17–19 in) in length, with females being about 30% heavier than males (Simmons and Simmons 2000).