Size : 48-55cm with wingspan 110-130cm
Habitat : Confined to marshy areas and adjoining fields. Summer migrant and rare vagrant in north, scattered south in central regions.
Identification : Brownish body contrasting with grey on wings and tail.
Breeding : April and May in northern hemisphere. Nests made in reed beds from twigs and grass. Lays four to five eggs hatching after 5 weeks and fledgling at 6 weeks.
Size : 41-46cm with wingspan 105cm
Habitat : High grasslands and
thornveld. Uncommon summer migrant from northern hemisphere.
Identification : Males pale grey with black wing bars and tips. Females brownish with white rump.
Breeding : May and June in northern hemisphere. Nests made on ground in thick vegetation. Lays three to five eggs hatching after 5 weeks and fledgling at 6 weeks.
Diet : Mainly frogs and also taking small mammals,reptiles,insects,
eggs and nestlings.
Harriers are medium sized birds and have long narrow wings and tails. They fly close to the ground and prey on frogs and rodents and prefer marshlands and open fields. Five species occur in the southern African region of which three are summer migrants from the northern hemisphere.(family Accipitridae)
Diet : Small mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and small birds.
H A R R I E R S
European Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)