Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus - some photos and notes

Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

Ethiopia
January 2016

Montagu's Harrier breeds in north-west Africa and south and central Europe through to north-west China. It winters in Africa south of the Sahara and in the Indian subcontinent. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It breeds in a wide variety of open areas with grass or shrubs.

The male, seen here in photo 1, has very long, narrow wings and a narrow tail. In colouring it is similar to the male Hen Harrier C. cyaneus but the black on the wing tips is more extensive and there is a thin black band along the wings. The female is generally brown above and streaked below.

Montagu's Harrier, Bogol Manyo Road, Ethiopia, January 2016 - click for larger image

They nest on the ground and hunt using a low, slow flight into the wind before falling on their prey on the ground.

Colonel George Montagu was a Captain in the British Army who was court-martialled for having affairs with brother officer's wives. He then concentrated on his biological writings and was a meticulous observer of birds and noted the features of this bird as distinct from the Hen Harrier.

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