Montagu's harrier is a species of harrier, a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It breeds in large open areas in the Palearctic and is migratory, wintering in Africa, the Indian subcontinent and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Its common name commemorates the British naturalist George Montagu.
Region
Palearctic
Typical Environment
Breeds across open landscapes of Europe and into western and central Asia, favoring heaths, steppes, wetlands, and extensive arable fields. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering largely in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. During migration it funnels through Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flyways, using open country and coastal plains. It avoids dense forests, preferring wide, low-vegetation habitats for hunting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Montagu's harrier is a slim, long-winged raptor that performs spectacular 'sky-dancing' courtship displays. Males often pass prey to females in mid-air, a signature behavior of harriers. It frequently nests on the ground in cereal crops, and conservation programs often protect nests from harvest in Europe.
Montagu's Harrier Male, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India
Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus) in flight from Tal Chappar
Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus) from Tal Chappar
Adult male
Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
Young Montagu's harriers during relocation.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
buoyant low quartering with agile glides
Social Behavior
Breeding pairs nest on the ground among crops or natural grass-heaths, with the male sometimes polygynous. They perform dramatic aerial displays and exchange prey by aerial food-passes. Outside the breeding season they may roost communally in open fields or marshes.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet, but during the breeding season gives sharp, mewing calls and rapid kek-kek alarm notes near the nest. Flight displays may be accompanied by thin, piping notes.
Plumage
Slim, graceful harrier with long, narrow wings and a distinctly white rump; males are pale grey with black wingtips, females and juveniles are brown with streaking.
Diet
Hunts small mammals such as voles and mice, small birds, lizards, amphibians, and large insects like grasshoppers and beetles. It quarters low over open ground, dropping suddenly onto prey detected by sight and sound. Opportunistically takes fledglings in farmland and occasionally scavenges small carcasses.
Preferred Environment
Feeds over open habitats including cereal fields, rough grassland, heath, marsh edges, and steppe. Often forages along field margins and fallow patches where prey density is higher and cover is low.
