Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Malagasy Harrier
Circus macrosceles
Malagasy Harrier (Circus macrosceles) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Malagasy Harrier (Circus macrosceles) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 664 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Accipitriformes
- Family Accipitridae Kites, Hawks, Eagles
- Genus Circus
- Species macrosceles
Where it lives
Grande Comore (=Njazidja), Mohéli (=Mwali) and Anjouan (=Nzwani; northwestern, central Comoros) and western, central Madagascar
Quick facts
- Weight
- 664 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Malagasy Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Malagasy Harrier is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Malagasy Harrier (Circus macrosceles) is a species of bird in the Accipitridae family, part of the order Accipitriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Grande Comore (=Njazidja), Mohéli (=Mwali) and Anjouan (=Nzwani; nw, c Comoros) and w, c Madagascar.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 664 g, with a wing length of about 42.1 cm and a tail of around 24.3 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 412,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Malagasy Harrier?
The Malagasy Harrier is a large bird that weighs around 664 g.
Where does the Malagasy Harrier live?
The Malagasy Harrier is found across Africa with a range covering AF Grande Comore (=Njazidja), Mohéli (=Mwali) and Anjouan (=Nzwani; nw, c Comoros) and w, c Madagascar, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Malagasy Harrier belong to?
The Malagasy Harrier (Circus macrosceles) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the Malagasy Harrier eat?
The Malagasy Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Malagasy Harrier migrate?
The Malagasy Harrier is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Malagasy Harrier endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Malagasy Harrier make?
1 real field recording of the Malagasy Harrier — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Malagasy Harrier's range?
The Malagasy Harrier has a mapped global range of about 412,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Accipitridae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Birds of Prey
Critically Endangered
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Meet the Accipitridae
A field guide to the Accipitridae family — 254 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.