Harrier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harriers |
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| western marsh harrier | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Subfamily: | Circinae |
| Genera | |
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Circus |
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Harriers are a type of hawk. They are birds of prey, which means they hunt other animals for food. Harriers are also diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They usually hunt by flying low over open fields. They look for small mammals, reptiles, or birds to eat. Young harriers are sometimes called "ring-tail harriers."
All About Harriers
Most harriers belong to a scientific group called the genus Circus. A genus is a group of very similar animals. The name Circus comes from how these birds fly in circles when they are trying to find a mate.
There are two other types of harriers. Two species are in the genus Polyboroides. These are known as harrier-hawks. They live in different places far apart from each other. They are found only in the Afrotropic ecozone, which is a large natural region in Africa. One other species of harrier is in its own genus, Geranospiza.
What are Ring-tails?
The term ring-tail is a special name that birdwatchers use. It refers to the young birds and female harriers of some species. When you see them in nature, it can be hard to tell exactly which species they are. This is why they are given the general name "ring-tail."
Some harriers that can be called ring-tails include:
- Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus)
- Northern or hen harrier (Circus cyaneus)
- Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus)
These birds often have a pale band on their tail, which looks like a ring. This helps birdwatchers identify them, even if they can't tell the exact species.
