Thepallid harrier (Circus macrourus) is amigratorybird of prey of theharrier subfamily. The scientific name is derived from theAncient Greek.Circus is fromkirkos (circle), referring to a bird of prey named for its circling flight ('probably thehen harrier), andmacrourus is "long-tailed", frommakros (long) and-ouros (-tailed).[2]
It breeds in southern parts of easternEurope andcentral Asia andIran and winters mainly inIndia and southeast Asia. It is a rare but increasing vagrant toGreat Britain and western Europe. In 2017 a pair of pallid harriers nested in a barley field in the Netherlands; they raised four chicks, the first recording breeding of the species in the country.[3] In 2019, a pair bred in Spain for the first time.[4]
This medium-sizedraptor breeds on open plains,bogs and heathland. In winter it is a bird of open country.
This is a typical harrier, with long wings held in a shallow V in its low flight. It also resembles other harriers in having distinct male and femaleplumages. Adults measure 40–48 cm (16–19 in) long with a wingspan of 95–120 cm (37–47 in). Males weigh 315 g (11.1 oz) while the slightly larger females weigh 445 g (15.7 oz). The male is whitish grey above and white below, with narrow black wingtips. It differs from thehen harrier in its smaller size, narrower wings, paler colour, and different wing tip pattern. The female is brown above with white upper tail coverts, hence females and the similar juveniles are often called "ringtails". Her underparts are buff streaked with brown. It is best distinguished from the femalehen harrier on structure. It is very similar to the femaleMontagu's harrier, but has a paler belly and a well defined facial pattern.[5]
Pallid harriers primarily hunt smallmammals andbirds, surprising them as they drift low over fields andmoors. Other food sources include large insects (typically grasshoppers and locusts), lizards and frogs.The nest of this species is on the ground. Three to six, but typically four to five whitish eggs are laid.[5]
