Circus (genus)

Taxobox
name = "Circus"


image_caption = Montagu's Harrier
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Falconiformes
familia = Accipitridae
subfamilia = Circinae
genus = " Circus "
genus_authority = Lacepede, 1799
subdivision_ranks = species
subdivision = "see text"

"Circus" is the largest genus of the harriers, a group of diurnal birds of prey which fly low over meadows and marshes and hunt or harry small animals or birds. The genus name "Circus" refers to the circling movements the male and female make when mating.

pecies list

* Montagu's Harrier, "Circus pygargus"
* Northern or Hen Harrier, "Circus cyaneus"
* Western Marsh Harrier, "Circus aeruginosus"
* Eastern Marsh Harrier, "Circus spilonotus"
* African Marsh Harrier, "Circus ranivorus"
* Swamp Harrier, "Circus approximans"
* Madagascar Marsh Harrier, "Circus maillardi"
* Long-winged Harrier, "Circus buffoni"
* Spotted Harrier, "Circus assimilis"
* Black Harrier, "Circus maurus"
* Cinereous Harrier, "Circus cinereus"
* Pallid Harrier, "Circus macrourus"
* Pied Harrier, "Circus melanoleucos"
* Eyles' Harrier, "Circus eylesi" (New Zealand, extinct)

References:

*Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Mead and Burton Raptors of the World ISBN: 0713680261

External links

* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/familia.phtml?idFamilia=30 Harrier videos on the Internet Bird Collection]