Long-winged Harrier

Overview

The long-winged harrier (Circus buffoni) is a common, mid-sized bird of prey endemic to South America. It is a member of the family Accipitridae and is classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List, despite experiencing population declines due to habitat degradation.

Identification

• Size: Length of 46–60 cm and a wingspan of 120–155 cm, with females being larger than males.
• Plumage: Wings and back are mostly grey with darker primary feathers; the species exhibits both dark (black or brown belly) and light (white underparts) morphs, while juveniles have a speckled chest.
• Structure: Possesses bright orange legs, sharp talons, and a large hooked beak, along with a distinctive facial disc used for triangulating sound.
• Sound: A relatively quiet bird that calls mainly in flight, producing a fast succession of "klee-klee-klee" or a descending "thrill".

Habitat

Its year-round range encompasses most of eastern South America, extending from Colombia and Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego, with occasional vagrancies to Panama and the Falkland Islands. The species occupies large grasslands, agricultural fields, savannas, marshes, and wetlands throughout its distribution.

Diet

This carnivorous species feeds on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, with birds making up the majority of its intake. It forages by flying slowly in large circles above its territory, using keen vision and hearing to locate prey rather than using perches.

Did you know?

As the only diurnal bird of prey group to possess a facial disc, the long-winged harrier uses this feature to triangulate sounds while hunting, a trait typically associated with nocturnal owls.