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Photo: Thierry Caro / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Endangered

Reunion Harrier

Circus maillardi

Reunion Harrier (Circus maillardi) — Birds of Prey of Africa.

The Reunion Harrier (Circus maillardi) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 664 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Accipitriformes
  3. Family Accipitridae Kites, Hawks, Eagles
  4. Genus Circus
  5. Species maillardi

Where it lives

Réunion (western Mascarenes)

Quick facts

Weight
664 g
Family
Accipitridae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Reunion Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.

Migration

The Reunion Harrier is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Reunion Harrier (Circus maillardi) belongs to the Accipitridae family of the order Accipitriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Réunion (w Mascarenes).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 664 g, with a wing length of about 35.3 cm and a tail of around 22.9 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 1,489 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

Reunion Harrier — Begging call

Recorded by Antoine Ede Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Reunion Harrier?

The Reunion Harrier is a large bird that weighs around 664 g.

Where does the Reunion Harrier live?

The Reunion Harrier is found across Africa with a range covering AF Réunion (w Mascarenes), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the Reunion Harrier belong to?

The Reunion Harrier (Circus maillardi) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.

What does the Reunion Harrier eat?

The Reunion Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.

Does the Reunion Harrier migrate?

The Reunion Harrier is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Reunion 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 Reunion Harrier make?

1 real field recording of the Reunion Harrier — including its begging call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Reunion Harrier's range?

The Reunion Harrier has a mapped global range of about 1,489 km².

Conservation

Endangered

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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