Found across South and Southeast Asia, from eastern India and China to Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia, this migratory bird is a familiar sight soaring low over wetlands and rice fields during the winter months. With its bold black-and-white plumage and light, buoyant flight, the pied harrier is often described as the “phantom of the marshes,” gliding silently above open landscapes in search of prey.
What makes the pied harrier so distinctive is its stunning contrast of colors and refined flight style. The adult male, in particular, is a study in elegance: its body is a sleek blend of black and white, with a black hood, wings, and back, set against a gleaming white underside and rump. The female and juveniles, on the other hand, wear a more cryptic coat of brown, buff, and gray, helping them blend into the tall grasses where they hunt and nest. All have long, narrow wings and an elongated tail that gives them remarkable control as they drift, tilt, and bank effortlessly over fields and marshes.
The pied harrier is part of the harrier family (Circus), known for their distinctive hunting style—low, slow, and deliberate. It flies just a few meters above the ground, wings held in a shallow “V,” scanning for movement below. Its primary diet consists of small mammals, frogs, lizards, and large insects, though it occasionally takes small birds as well. With its keen eyesight and sharp reflexes, it can detect even the faintest motion in the grass. When prey is spotted, it plunges suddenly from the air, folding its wings and striking with precision. This method of hunting—graceful yet lethal—is a hallmark of the harrier family and makes the pied harrier one of the most skillful hunters of open country.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Korea
Laos
Malaysia
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
North Korea
Pakistan
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
