Top 5 Species of Harrier Birds in India

Harrier birds are a species of diurnal hawks of the bird of prey family and known to hunt by flying very low over open ground and feed on small mammals like rat and reptiles and birds. There are five known Species of Harrier Found in India, listed below.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Hen harrier breeds in Eurasia and migrates to India in winter season. This medium-sized raptor migrates to Himayalan wildlife sanctuaries and Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary of Sikkum.

Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos)

Pied harrier species of raptor or bird of prey from harrier family is always seen hunting above rice paddies in Kerala and marshes of Haryana.
The migratory pied harrier wintering ground can be found in a wide area from Russia to India.

Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)

Pallid harrier is a Pied Harrier migratory bird of prey in the Indian sub-continent and winters mainly in India and southeast Asia.
This medium-sized raptor of India is primarily hunt small mammals and birds by surprising them.

Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Montagu’s Harrier is a migratory bird of prey in India and particularly males are characterized by very beautiful pale grey plumage.
A melanistic form also occurs regularly in this species of harrier and diet consists mainly of small rodents and small birds.

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Western marsh harrier also known as the Eurasian marsh harrier are reported from the Keoladeo National Park of Rajasthan in India.
The marsh harrier is larger than other species of Harriers Found in India – Follow to Know Buzzard in India.

Western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and Eastern marsh harrier (Circus spilonotus) are two separate species migratory Harrier Birds in India.
Eastern Marsh Harrier are also migratory bird in India and their wintering range includes northeast India to Southeast Asia.