About the Pied Harrier
The pied harrier is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, named for the male's distinctive white and black colouration.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black HarrierCircus maurusThe black harrier is a medium-sized African harrier whose range extends from South Africa to Botswana and Namibia.
Spotted HarrierCircus assimilisThe spotted harrier is a medium-sized, slender bird of prey with adult females reaching 58–61 cm.
Reunion HarrierCircus maillardiIt is about 42–55 cm long; the female is around 3–15% larger than the male.
Learn the Pied Harrier for real
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