Sep 29
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, harrier, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pallid Harrier, raptor

Pallid harrier male sub adult assuing adult plummage, Talchappar

The pale or pallid harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. It breeds in southern parts of eastern Europe and central Asia (such as Iran) and winters mainly in India and southeast Asia. It is a very rare vagrant to Great Britain and western Europe. long wings held in a shallow V in its low flight. It also resembles other harriers in having distinct male and female plumages.The male is whitish grey above and white below, with narrow black wingtips. It differs from the hen harrier in its smaller size, narrower wings, paler colour, and different wing tip pattern. The female is brown above with white upper tail coverts, hence females and the similar juveniles are often called “ringtails”. Her underparts are buff streaked with brown. This feeds on small mammals and birds and, especially in winter quarters, large insects. Takes advantage of demographic explosions of rodents. The image here is of a subadult male attaining the adult plummage as some of the feathers are turning into the pale color. It is classified as  Near Threatened by IUCN.
Read More
Sep 29
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, raptor

Montagus harrier female portrait, Talchappar

The Montagu’s harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. Its common name commemorates the British naturalist George Montagu. Sexual dimorphism is particularly apparent in the plumage of this species. Adult males are characterized by their overall pale grey plumage contrasting with black wingtips. Compared with other harriers this species has characteristic black bands along the secondaries, both above and below the wing and rusty streaks on belly and flanks. Adult females have a broadly similar plumage to that of pallid and hen harriers. The underparts are mostly pale yellow-brown, the belly with longitudinal stripes and the wing coverts spotted. The upper parts are uniform dark brown except for the white upper tail coverts (“rump”), and the sightly paler central wing coverts. The juvenile plumage resembles that of the female, but differs by the belly and under wing coverts which are not spotted, but uniformly red brown in colour. A melanistic form occurs regularly in this species. In this form the male is much darker than usual, with a black head, brownish black above and grey underparts. The melanistic female is entirely chocolate brown except for grey flight feathers. Partially melanistic morphs can also be found. The […]
Read More
Dec 17
by Admin in Bangalore 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, harrier, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Pale Harrier, Pallied, Pallied Harrier

Pallid Harrier Female, Bangalore

Pallid Harrier is also known as the pale harrier, the male birds are in pale color. This is a female bird found her warming up on the sun one early winter (December) morning.
Read More
Sep 24
by Admin in Bangalore 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, Eurasian Harrier, female, harrier, marsh harrier, Nikon, Nikon D750, Tamron, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, Western Marsh Harrier

Western Marsh Harrier

The marsh harriers are birds of prey of the harrier subfamily. They are medium-sized raptors and the largest and broadest-winged harriers. A migratory raptor that visits Indian and Africa from Europe and Asia during winters. These harriers glide low just above the grassland and make a quick dive to feed on frog, fish, insects and birds. The adult female is identified by the pale crown. This image was made as the bird was preening and a small feather is seen on one of the eyes as a result of the preening activity.
Read More
Oct 16
by Admin in Bangalore 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, black, harrier, Montagu, Montagu Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Nikon, Nikon D750, Tamron, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, wings

Montagu’s harrier flight with prey

The Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. Its common name commemorates the British naturalist George Montagu. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek. Circus is from kirkos, referring to a bird of prey named for its circling flight. The diet consists mainly of small rodents, small birds, bird eggs, reptiles (including snakes) and large insects. Prey is caught while flying along fixed routes at low heights and constant low speeds (c. 30 km/h (19 mph)), as is typical of harriers. The flight is considered lighter and more dexterous than other harriers enabling it to take more agile prey. When possible it often follows the edges of various vegetation to catch its prey by surprise. This is taken after a short stoop, though fast running animals and flying birds can be chased over a short distance. These are characterized as least concern by IUCN.
Read More