Pied harrier

Pied harrier
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Accipitriformes
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.^[2]

This medium-sized harrier (length 45 cm/18in, wing span 115 cm/46in)^[3] nests in steppes and associated wetlands. Wintering individuals are often seen hunting above rice paddies and marshes.

Gallery

near Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.
at/ near Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.

References

^ Template:IUCN
^ BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Circus melanoleucos. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 13/1/2010
^ James Ferguson-Lees & David Christie (2005). Raptors of the world. Christopher Helm. London, UK

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[1] Template:IUCN

[2] BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Circus melanoleucos. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 13/1/2010

[3] James Ferguson-Lees & David Christie (2005). Raptors of the world. Christopher Helm. London, UK

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