Montagu's Harrier

Sexual dimorphism is particularly apparent in the plumage of this species. Adult males are characterized by their overall pale grey plumage contrasting with black wingtips. Compared with other harriers this species has characteristic black bands along the secondaries, both above and below the wing and rusty streaks on belly and flanks. Adult females have a broadly similar plumage to that of Pallid and Hen Harriers. The underparts are mostly pale yellow-brown, the belly with longitudinal stripes and the wing coverts spotted. The upper parts are uniform dark brown except for the white upper tail coverts , and the sightly paler central wing coverts.

The Montagu's Harrier is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

environmental factors in Montagu's Harrier, breeding in agricultural habitat in east Groningen, Netherlands. Knowledge on such factors is of importance for conservation of the marginal population there. Common Voles (Microtus arvalis) made up between one third (considering estimated biomass) and half (considering prey number) of the diet. Diet was diverse, indicating generalist behaviour in 2003. During the study period (1992-2003), 1992 was the only good vole year. Voles were most numerous on fallow land and in high vegetation. More

The Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. Its common name commemorates the British naturalist George Montagu. Contents - * 1 Identification * 1.1 Plumage * 1.2 Flight * 1.3 Dimensions * 1. More

Montagu, the Montagu's harrier is the smallest of Britain's 3 harrier species, and is superficially similar to the hen harrier, (Circus cyaneus). Females are brown with a whitish ... More

Montagu, the Montagu's harrier is the smallest of Britain's 3 harrier species, and is superficially similar to the hen harrier, (Circus cyaneus). Females are brown with a whitish rump, juveniles are similar in colour to females but have reddish-brown underparts. Males are pale grey with black wing bars and wing tips, and have a grey rump. This species is generally silent, but can be heard producing a high-pitched 'yik-yik-yik' call in the breeding season (2). More

MONTAGU'S HARRIER, by Chris Packham = Montagu's Harrier The Montagu's Harrier is one of Britain's rarest birds of prey In the world of birds, birds of prey, or "raptors", are frequent favourites. Even the humble Kestrel hovering above the motorway draws admiring glances from people who have no direct interest in our birdlife. More

Montagu's Harrier occurs in the southern countries of Europe, in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Silesia, Austria, Dalmatia, Illyria, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and France; in Asia, in Palestine, Persia, as far east as India, China, and Ceylon; and in Africa, namely in Sennaar, Abyssinia, Kordofan, Algeria, the Cape, the Comoro Islands, and in the Canaries. In America it appears to be unknown. More

Montagu's Harrier at Eakring Flash May 2005 A welcome (and not unexpected) addition to the Eakring bird list was a fly-over Montagu's Harrier on May 3rd 2005. It ended what had been an excellent Spring for rare raptors, with double records of both Red Kite and Osprey. More

The Montagu's harrier has the curious habit (for a raptor) to breed on the ground. Formerly restricted to marsh and non-cultivated areas, it rapidly invaded farmland and now build its nest in a cereal field (wheat and barley). For almost 30 years now, volunteers wander within farming landscape, looking for harrier nests. Once located, they make arrangements with farmers, in order to protect the brood in situ from harvesting and allow the chicks to fledge. More

The RSPBJuvenile Montagu's harrier, SpainHay meadow grassesMale Montagu's harrier in field * A * B * C * D * E * F * G * H * I * J * K * L More

Montagu's Harrier is the UK's rarest breeding Raptor. It narrowly missed total extinction early this century, at which time the population was confined mainly to the Norfolk Broads, but as a result of co-operation between farmers and conservation organisations the Montagu's have now established new territory in south west Britain. A purely migrant visitor, present only between April and September, there have been years when no breeding pairs have appeared. However, in 1990, 12 pairs reared a total of 22 young. More

Sex ratio variations in broods of Montagu's harriersTemporal variation in sex allocation of white-tailed deer by Ditchkoff, Stephen S.; Mitchell, Michael S.; Gray, William N.; Cook, Christopher W. / Journal of the Alabama Academy of ScienceThe raid also found four stuffed owls, a Montagu's Harrier, a Marsh Harrier and Honey Buzzard.Wildlife lover cleared of birds and eggs charges; Jury verdict ... by The Journal (Newcastle, England)honey buzzard, marsh harrier, Montagu's harrier and osprey. More