Pied Harrier

Pied Harrier
Pied Harrier
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
(or Accipitriformes, q.v.)
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Circus
Species: C. melanoleucos
Binomial name
Circus melanoleucos
(Pennant, 1769)

The Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos) is an Asian species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is migratory, breeding from 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.[1]

This medium-sized harrier (length 45 cm/18in, wing span 115 cm/46in) [2] nests in steppes and associated wetlands. Wintering individuals are often seen hunting above rice paddies and marshes.

References

  • BirdLife International (2004). Circus melanoleucos. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  1. ^ BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Circus melanoleucos. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 13/1/2010
  2. ^ James Ferguson-Lees & David Christie (2005). Raptors of the world. Christopher Helm. London, UK

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