Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Schipper W.J.A. (1977) Hunting in three European harriers (Circus) during the breeding season. ARDEA 65 (1-2): 53-72
As a complement to previous studies on feeding in sympatric harriers, the hunting habits of Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus, Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus and Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus were examined during several years in the Netherlands and in France. We found evidence that Circus pygargus males usually hunted over large distances from the nests, Circus aeruginosus males stayed within a few kilometres, whereas Circus cyanus males took intermediate positions (Table 1; Figs. 1 and 2). Females of all three species stayed within a few kilometres (Fig. 3); this may have influenced their habitat selection. Circus aeruginosus most scrupulously searched their relatively small ranges. In contrast, Circus cyanus males and more particularly Circus pygargus males rather were transect hunters, utilising edge habitats and vast uniform areas with sparse vegetation cover. In Circus cyanus the fast and low flights over accidented terrains and vegetations and short pursuits of agile prey show great agility and manoeuvrability. The interpretation of the morphological characteristics leads to the same conclusions. Circus aeruginosus exhibited the fewest number of these characteristics. Circus aeruginosus males and females hunted over wetlands and other densely grown areas rich in prey; females hunted at somewhat higher levels than their males, probably relating to a smaller number of agile prey in their diets and less necessity for surprise. Of all harriers studied Circus pygargus males most frequently hunted over uniform flat areas, sometimes with scarce vegetation. The relation between hunting range and type of prey are discussed.


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