Harrier (bird)

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 (generic name Circus) 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). The generic scientific name arises from also 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
• Montague'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)
• Montague'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

For genus Polyboroides see harrier-hawks

For genus Geranospiza see Crane hawk