Ten images of a Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus) in Calafate, Argentina. These were some of my favorite shots during a 90 minute birding excursion at the Laguna Nimez Municipal Natural Reserve.
Chimango Caracara and Cinereous Harrier in a mid-flight tussle.
Cinereous Harrier in brief (with assist from WordPress AI but double-checked by me at Birds of the World and Wikipedia):
- Latin Name: Circus cinereus
- Size: Length: 50–60 cm (20–24 in); Wingspan: 120–140 cm (47–55 in)
- Weight: 480–800 grams (1.1–1.8 lbs)
- Diet: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians; primarily hunts by soaring and gliding over open habitats.
- Habitat: Found in wetlands, grasslands, and open areas. Regions: Southern South America (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay), and parts of the southern Andes.
- Physical Description: Adults have a grayish plumage with a characteristic long tail and slender wings. Males are generally smaller and have more distinct coloration compared to females, which are usually browner and larger.
- Breeding: Nesting occurs in shrubs or on the ground. Breeding season typically takes place from August to February.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable but localized threats may occur.
- Primary Predators: Larger raptors and mammals can pose a threat to fledglings and eggs.
- Unique Behaviors: Engages in aerial displays during courtship seasons; known for its distinctive flying patterns, often gliding low over the ground.
- Range of Migration: Primarily sedentary, with some populations displaying limited seasonal movements.
- Migration Periods and Patterns: Non-migratory in most regions; however, changes in food availability may cause local movements within its habitat.
Links for further reference:
- Cinereous Harrier at Birds of the World
- Cinereous Harrier at BirdLife DataZone
- Cinereous Harrier at eBird
- Cinereous Harrier at Avibase
- Cinereous Harrier at Wikipedia
- Cinereous Harrier at Oiseaux.net
- Cinereous Harrier at iNaturalist
Images from 9 Feb 2013; last updated 5 Aug 2025.
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I’ve never come across the Cinereous harrier before, but it seems to closely resemble our UK Marsh harrier, or at least has similar markings. Lovely photographs – a few look as if the bird is almost hovering as it scans the ground below, like a Kestrel.