Pied harrier | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Accipitriformes |
Family: | Accipitridae |
Genus: | Circus |
Species: | C. melanoleucos
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Binomial name | |
Circus melanoleucos (
Pennant, 1769)
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The pied harrier (Circus melanoleucos) is an Asian species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is migratory, breeding from the Amur valley in eastern Russia and north-eastern China to North Korea. Wintering individuals can be found in a wide area from Pakistan to Philippines. The population consists of approximately 10,000 individuals and the number is thought to be in moderate decline. [2]
This medium-sized harrier (length 45 cm/18in, wing span 115 cm/46in) [3] nests in steppes and associated wetlands. Wintering individuals are often seen hunting above rice paddies and marshes.