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  Wikipedia: Harrier (bird)

Wikipedia: Harrier (bird)
Harrier (bird)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Harriers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Falconiformes
Family†:Accipitridae
Subfamily:Circinae
Genera
Circus
Geranospiza
Polyboroides
† see also: Accipitridae
for other groups in this family

A Harrier is any of several species of diurnal birds of prey which fly low over meadows and marshes and hunt or harry small animals or birds (hence their common name). Most are in the genus Circus, the scientific name also arisingfrom from the slow circling for prey.

The northern hemisphere species are:

  • Western Marsh Harrier Circus aerunginosus and Eastern Marsh Harrier, Circus spilonotus, both described under Marsh Harrier
  • Hen Harrier or (US) 'Northern Harrier'\, Circus cyaneus
  • Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus
  • Montagu's Harrier, Circus pygargus

The American Northern Harrier is also known as the Marsh Hawk. It is usually classed as conspecific with the Hen Harrier, but is sometimes considered a separate species.

South African species are:

  • Western Marsh Harrier or Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
  • African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus)
  • Black Harrier (Circus maurus)
  • Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)
  • Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Australasian species are:

  • Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis)
  • Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans), sometimes also called the New Zealand Harrier, see Marsh Harrier

Species list


   

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 
Modified by Geona