Pallid Harrier
Circus macrourus (SG Gmelin, 1770)
HI
PALHA
2620
Family: Accipitriformes > Accipitridae
Similar to but paler than a Hen Harrier, with fewer black primaries, this is a very rare visitor from eastern Europe.
Most records concern juveniles seen in autumn and some remain through winter. Identification is complicated by the presence of Hen×Pallid Harrier hybrids.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Pallid Harrier
BTO RECORDS
BTO RECORDS
Identification
Identifying grey harriers
Harriers are stunning, lithe and elegant birds of prey. Two species of grey harrier are regularly found in the UK, Hen and Montagu's - the males are relatively easy to separate, but the females and young birds can be more tricky.
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Near Threatened 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Shetland, 1931 |
DISTRIBUTION
This species is a rare vagrant and was recorded during Bird Atlas 2007–11 as shown on the map.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 1 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.03 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.
SEASONALITY
Pallid Harrier is a rare vagrant, mostly recorded in autumn and winter.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Pallid Harrier, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: HI | 5-letter code: PALHA | Euring: 2620 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Population trends of the griffon vulture Gyps fulvus in northern Spain between 1969 and 1989 in relation to conservation measures
- Breeding biology of Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus L. in agricultural environments of southwest Spain; comparison with other populations in the western Palearctic
- Vulture restaurants and their role in reducing diclofenac exposure in Asian vultures
Read more studies about Pallid Harrier on Conservation Evidence >
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