Cinereous Harrier

Photo copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy • Images: Lagoa do Peixe • November 2009

Bird name: Cinereous Harrier
Latin: Circus cinereus
Other: Gavião-cinza (Br) • Peuco, Varil, Aguilucho ceniciento, Gavilán ceniciento (Es)
Family: Accipitridae • Harriers, Birds of Prey
Range:
Similar:

In Brazil, the Cinereous Harrier is found only in Rio Grande do Sul, usually only in the southern winter, but this one was seen in Mostardas in late November. Its typical range is the southern cone South American countries and across the Andes to Colombia.

This Cinereous Harrier looks like a male by its white underside of wings and rufous barred chest. Wing tips are dark, a dark band runs along the back of the wing. The top side of the wings are grey like the head and neck. It has a long, straight, very lightly-barred tail. Irises are yellow with some yellow at the base of the bill. Great-looking bird! The female is generally browner.

He was carrying a small bird, maybe a rail? and flying in woodland near the Lagoa do Peixe.




Other Brazilian names: Caracoleiro, Gavião-bico-de-gancho, Gavião-cinzento-do-banhado and Tartaranhão-Cinza