Montagu’s Harrier

Circus Pygargus

Order:

Accipitriformes

Family:

Accipitridae

Size:

39-49 cm

Weight:

M 227-305 g, F 254-445 g

Taxonomy:

Monotypic Falco Pygargus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Short Description:

Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) is a medium-sized bird of prey known for its graceful flight and striking appearance. Adults typically have a pale grey body, with black wingtips and a distinctive black band across their white tail feathers. Females are slightly larger and have a brownish coloration, while males have a paler, more greyish appearance. Montagu's Harriers are migratory birds, breeding in Europe and Central Asia during the summer months and migrating to Africa and South Asia, including Pakistan, for the winter. They prefer open grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands where they hunt small mammals, birds, and insects by flying low over the ground or hovering before diving to capture prey with their sharp talons. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect their breeding and wintering habitats and ensure the survival of Montagu's Harriers throughout their migratory journey.

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) is a migratory bird of prey that can be found in Pakistan during its wintering season. During this time, Montagu’s Harriers are distributed across various habitats, including grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands, primarily in the Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces. They may also frequent marshes and other open areas where they hunt for small mammals, birds, and insects. While in Pakistan, Montagu’s Harriers establish temporary roosting sites and forage extensively in these habitats to build up their energy reserves for their return migration to their breeding grounds in Central Asia and Europe. Their distribution within Pakistan may vary depending on factors such as food availability and habitat quality. Conservation efforts to protect their wintering habitats in Pakistan are crucial for ensuring the survival of Montagu’s Harriers during their migratory journey.

Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) displays characteristic behavior reflective of its hunting techniques and migratory habits. These medium-sized raptors are known for their graceful flight, often gliding low over open habitats such as grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands. During the breeding season, Montagu’s Harriers establish nesting territories in Europe and Central Asia, constructing nests on the ground or in low vegetation. Both males and females participate in incubating the eggs and caring for the young.