Long-winged Harrier

Identification

The long-winged harrier is a mid-sized bird of prey with distinctive proportions: notably long, narrow wings and an elongated tail that immediately set it apart from other raptors. Males weigh 390 to 464 grams, while females are larger at 400 to 645 grams, with body lengths ranging from 46 to 60 centimeters and wingspans between 120 and 155 centimeters. The species exhibits two colour morphs. Light morph birds display striking white underparts that contrast sharply with grey-brown upper parts and darker primary feathers. Dark morph individuals are predominantly black on the belly, with females showing brown undertones. Juveniles resemble females but have more speckled chests. All long-winged harriers possess the distinctive facial disc characteristic of harriers—a recognizable arrangement of feathers around the face that aids hearing during hunts. Bright orange legs, sharp talons, and a large hooked beak complete the profile of this formidable hunter.

Range & Habitat

Endemic to South America, the long-winged harrier's year-round range spans most of eastern regions including eastern Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay, extending northward through Colombia and Venezuela to the northern reaches of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The species occasionally appears in Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago, and as far south as Tierra del Fuego, with vagrant records from Panama and the Falkland Islands.

This harrier favours large grasslands, agricultural fields, savannas, marshes, and wetlands across the continent. These open habitats are ideal for its active, wide-ranging hunting technique. While the long-winged harrier's range overlaps minimally with its close relative the cinereous harrier, both species share South American grassland and wetland ecosystems.

Behaviour & Diet

The long-winged harrier is a carnivore with a remarkably diverse diet reflecting its wide continental distribution. It hunts small mammals such as cavies, amphibians including frogs, reptiles like lizards, and birds—particularly crakes and young coots—which form the majority of its food intake. The species also takes bird eggs, from raiding nests of water-tyrants to plundering heronries.

Its hunting strategy is distinctive among local raptors. Rather than perching passively like the roadside hawk to scan for prey, the long-winged harrier employs active, energy-intensive tactics: flying slowly in large circles above its range while using keen vision and hearing to locate victims. The facial disc aids this acoustic hunting by triangulating sounds to pinpoint prey movement below.

Best Time & Places to See It

The long-winged harrier is a common bird throughout its South American range, making it a reliable sighting for travellers visiting grasslands and wetlands from Brazil and Paraguay to Colombia and Venezuela. The species is present year-round across most of its range. Nesting occurs between September and October in grassland habitats, potentially offering opportunities to observe breeding behaviour during these months. Look for the harrier's characteristic circling flight over open habitats—its wide-ranging hunting behaviour makes it relatively conspicuous compared to perch-hunting raptors.

Photography Tips

Photograph long-winged harriers in open grassland and wetland habitats where their hunting flights are unobstructed and well-lit. The species' circling behaviour provides extended opportunities to capture flight images, particularly during morning hours when light is optimal. Frame shots to showcase the distinctive long wings and tail proportions that define the species. Capture both morphs if possible—the striking contrast of light morph birds against grassland backgrounds and the darker plumage of dark morph individuals present different compositional opportunities. The bright orange legs and facial disc features are worth highlighting in close-up images when the harrier perches between hunts.