Species Profile
Montagu's Harrier
Circus pygargus
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
6–16 years
Length
43–47 cm
Weight
230–445 g
Wingspan
108–120 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Ash-colored Harrier
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Appearance
Montagu's Harriers are slender, long-winged raptors with a distinctive owl-like facial disc. Males are predominantly pale grey with black wingtips and a black bar across the secondary feathers. Their underparts are white with fine rufous streaks.
Females are larger and brown, with a white rump and barred tail. Juveniles resemble females but have darker upperparts and a rich orange-buff underside. In flight, all show long, narrow wings and a long tail.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Yellow
Female Markings
Dark streaking on breast and underwings
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Montagu's Harriers prefer open landscapes, including grasslands, steppes, marshes, and agricultural areas. They breed across Europe and parts of Asia, with strongholds in countries like Spain, France, and Russia.
These birds are long-distance migrants, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. In the UK, they are rare summer visitors, mainly found in Norfolk, Suffolk, and southwest England.
Distribution
Diet
Montagu's Harriers are versatile predators, primarily feeding on small mammals, especially voles and rabbits. They also catch small birds, reptiles, and large insects.
Their diet varies seasonally and geographically, adapting to local prey availability. They often hunt by surprise, snatching prey from the ground after a short hover.
Behaviour
Montagu's Harriers are known for their graceful, low flight over open country. They often hunt by quartering fields with slow, buoyant wingbeats, suddenly dropping onto prey.
During the breeding season, males perform spectacular 'sky-dancing' displays involving steep climbs and tumbling dives to attract mates.
Calls & Sounds
Montagu's Harriers are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During breeding, they become more vocal, with males producing a rapid 'kek-kek-kek' call during courtship displays. Females may respond with a softer 'pee-ep' sound. When alarmed, both sexes emit a sharp, high-pitched 'kik' call.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding begins in late April to May. Males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract females, including spectacular sky dances and food passes in mid-air.
Nests are built on the ground, typically in dense vegetation or crops. The female constructs a simple platform of grass and stems. She lays 3-5 pale blue eggs, sometimes speckled with brown.
Incubation lasts about 28-29 days, and it is primarily done by the female while the male provides food. Chicks fledge after 35-40 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
Despite being listed as Least Concern globally, Montagu's Harriers face threats from agricultural intensification and habitat loss.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting cropland nesting sites and maintaining suitable hunting habitats. In some areas, nest protection schemes involve cooperation with farmers.
Elevation
Sea level to 4,000 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Adult Montagu's Harriers have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to foxes, badgers, and other ground predators. Large raptors may occasionally prey on juveniles.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive low, gliding flight over open fields and marshes
- Listen for their 'kek-kek-kek' call during breeding season
- Observe early morning or late afternoon when they're most active
- In the UK, focus on areas like East Anglia and the southwest during the summer months
Did You Know?
- Montagu's Harriers are named after George Montagu, a British naturalist who first distinguished the species from the similar Hen Harrier.
- They are one of the few raptor species that are sexually dimorphic in plumage as well as size.
- These birds can fly up to 5,000 km (3,100 miles) during their annual migration between Europe and Africa.
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