Yawning Montagu’s harrier female

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. Regurgitating is the process of bringing the already swallowed food back to the mouth. These are characterized as least concern by IUCN.

Montagus Harrier Male ruffled feathers

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.

Male Montagu Harrier

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.

Montagu Harrier male 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.

Montagu’s Harrier Female

Montagu’s Harrier Female The Montagu’s harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. Its common name commemorates the British naturalist George Montagu. This was one of the boldest harrier seen, it would allow us approach very close and not get disturbed at all. In this particular scene the harrier was first seen early in the morning when the light was poor and then we made a full circle and came back after a couple of hours only to find this harrier perched in the same position. This sub adult seemed to be performing a Yoga pose for us.