Wildlifeof Malaysia
Pied Harrier
Birds of Prey
Photo: Jageshwer_Verma · CC BY 3.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Circus melanoleucos
Basic stats
Diet
Small mammals, especially voles, shrews and mice
Habitat
Open country, from sea level to about 2,100m; breeds under 1,500m
Range
Breeds from southern Siberia and Mongolia to north-east China and North Korea; winters from eastern India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Borneo
Size
41–49cm
Weight
Males 265–325g; females 390–455g
The pied harrier is named for the male's distinctive black and white colouring: black on the head, neck, back, breast and primaries, and white on the forewing, rump and the rest of the underparts, with striking yellow eyes. Females are dark brown above and pale brown to white below with dark streaking and a small white rump. It is 41–49 cm long; males weigh 265–325 g and females 390–455 g (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is a migratory bird endemic to Asia, breeding from Lake Baikal in southern Siberia through Mongolia and north-east China to North Korea, and wintering from eastern India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Borneo. It lives mostly in open country and eats mostly small mammals, especially voles. It is primarily solitary but sometimes forms loose groups (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Pied Harrier eat?
- Small mammals, especially voles, shrews and mice
- What habitat does the Pied Harrier live in?
- Open country, from sea level to about 2,100m; breeds under 1,500m
- Where is the Pied Harrier found?
- Breeds from southern Siberia and Mongolia to north-east China and North Korea; winters from eastern India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Borneo
- How big is the Pied Harrier?
- 41–49cm
- How much does the Pied Harrier weigh?
- Males 265–325g; females 390–455g