Montagu’s harrier

Latin Circus pygargus
Estonian Soo-loorkull

Also known as: no known names

Status in Estonia

Breeding bird

Description

The wings and body of Montagu’s harrier are both long and slender, while the tail is long and narrow. The male resembles a male hen harrier but differs in its proportions, the black stripes on flight feathers and secondaries (two underside, one top side), wider black wing tips and a darker grey back and wing coverts. There are red-brown stripes on the belly. The female bird distinguishes itself from the female hen harrier by having a slightly smaller wing stem and a distinct dark stripe across the top of the secondaries. The back border of the wing is dark and the big coverts of the wing and ‘armpit’ feathers are heavily striped.

Size

Body length 39–50 cm, wingspan 96–116 cm, body mass 230–445 g.

Similar species

Hen harrier, western marsh harrier.

Distribution

It is widespread in the temperate zone but also found in the Mediterranean and boreal (northern) regions. It migrates to tropical Africa for the winter. It is a rare breeding bird that is unevenly distributed in Estonia.

Population

Estonia has 300–400 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

It arrives in April/May and departs in August/September.

Diet

It feeds on juvenile birds, small mammals, lizards and insects.

Habitat

It breeds in open landscape with high grass, overgrown heaths, alvars, bogs, crop fields and so on. It also hunts over flood-meadows and raised bogs.

Nesting

The nest, which is basic and built out of grass, is found on the ground among tall plants. In May, the female lays 4–5 eggs and incubates them for 27–30 days. After approximately 35 days, young birds have learned to fly.

Conservation status and protection

It belongs to the protected species of category III. Birds of prey, crows and foxes threaten this bird.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

Montagu’s harrier is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. It nests in small colonies in our raised bogs, particularly around Leidissoo and Marimetsa bogs. A few Montagu’s harriers nest in the Matsalu flood-meadow. These birds of prey come to hunt, but they also frequently hunt in the fields.

Montagu’s harriers can often be seen from the Rannajõe viewing platform.