Species:

Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

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Length (cm):
43-47
58-65
Wingspan (cm):
105-120
105-112
Weight (gram):
227-445
500-800
Size group:
Crow-size
Crow-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Elegant harrier, with slender wings and 4 "fingers". Adult male easily recognized by single black band on upperwing, and double on underwing, and by rufous under wing-coverts. Chest is considerably darker grey than in Pallid Harrier, in contrast to white lower belly. Adult female differs from Hen- and Pallid Harrier by dark upper wing-band (not as prominent as in male). Broad, pale subterminal band on underwing reaching all the way to wing pit. Under wing coverts barred. Immature birds told from Hen Harrier by rufous, almost unstreaked underparts. From Pallid Harrier by dark wing tips and no marked, dark neck sides or pale collar. Beware of moulting Hen Harriers, with 4 "fingers".

Sound:

Quite similar to Hen Harrier. Seldom heard, even at breeding ground. Sharp "ke-ke-ke-ke", and various high-pitched whistling sounds.

Call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Marco Dragonetti, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Radovan Václav, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Radovan Václav, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Small, crepuscular, stocky heron with short legs. Adults unmistakable with black cap, black back, grey wings and white underparts. Immature less distinct, and may be confused with immature Squacco Heron, Little Bittern or Bittern. Differs from all these in distinct white spots covering both wings and back. Belly and breast are more widely covered in coarse streaking, not just the sides or upper chest. Legs just barely protrudes behind tail in flight.

Sound:

Most commonly hear call is a nasal, soft croaking "roack", like cross between Raven and frog.

Flight call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Raptors
Silhouette
Heron-like
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species