These small birds of the falconiformes order are now rarely found in the expanses of our Motherland. Steppe harrier - this is the name of an endangered species of birds, which is nevertheless worthy of close study. Let's see how it differs from its relatives, why the population is decreasing.
It may happen that a light-gray bird will fly out from under the traveler's feet. If he wandered through the fields of the Trans-Urals, then with a high degree of probability it can be argued that he met with a now rare representative of the hawk family. It is called steppe harrier. He is quite different from his relatives.
Appearance
Steppe harrier (photos are presented in the article) is colored unevenly. The upper plumage is bluish in color. The underside is usually pure white. Females are larger and lighter than males. Experts consider representatives of this species "the most slender" of all hawks. This species is especially distinguished from its brethren by its narrow wings, which have a span of up to one hundred and twenty centimeters. In flight, this inhabitant of the steppe can be confused with a seagull. Only on close inspection is thisvisibility is rapidly deteriorating. The steppe harrier has a completely different plumage. Most of all, it can be characterized by the word "pockmarked". In general, the bluish color is punctuated by dark blotches, more visible on the wings. The female has a white "collar" and the same "eyebrows". I must say that the color of the light plumage is not bright, but muted.
Habitat
Steppe Harrier settles, as the name implies, among the fields. He prefers the outback, so now he can only be found in the Trans-Urals. In Ciscaucasia, Southern Siberia and the European part, it is also found, but extremely rarely. Sometimes nests in mountainous areas, tundra. These birds like swampy places abounding in vegetation. There, having picked up a place where there is little moisture, they arrange nesting. Hawks perfectly disguise their "settlements" so as not to become natural prey for other predators. They do not live in pairs, but in small groups. Nests are usually located at a distance of up to one hundred meters from each other. In an impromptu "settlement" you can count up to six couples. Steppe harrier can also be found in the mountains. Only there he lives on flat "tundra" areas.
Nests
Hawks build characteristic houses during the breeding season. To do this, a hole is dug in the ground up to five centimeters deep. The nest itself is laid out with soft herbs. Around, as a rule, a "protective redoubt" is built from coarser stems. Thin twigs, reeds or other are used. Most often, a pair builds its nest among the vegetation, nearswamp or spring. Less commonly, it can be found in the open steppe (uninhabited). If a couple has chosen the outskirts of a cultivated field for life, then, most likely, they will build a nest among the dried blockages of uprooted bushes and grasses. That is, where no one will disturb the female sitting on the nest.
Offspring
Like any bird of prey of the falcon family, the harrier lays up to six eggs. Most often there are two to four. The female does not leave the clutch until the chicks are born. When a threat arises, both parents try to protect their offspring, fearlessly attacking the “aggressor”. They try to lure him away from the nest. Chicks appear after 28 days. For almost a month and a half, they need constant guardianship of their parents. The male feeds his mate all the time of breeding, then the brood. The survival rate of offspring does not exceed fifty percent. Babies are easy prey for predators, despite the constant care of the female. The first few days they are covered with light fluff, so they are visible from afar. Then the color of the plumage changes.
Threats and security
This type of hawk has few natural enemies. These include only larger raptors such as the steppe eagle or imperial eagle. However, the harrier population is constantly declining. The main reason is human activity, which interferes with the preservation of the “food base” of this inhabitant of the steppes. By the way, the harrier is not picky about food. Most often, he preys on small rodents, whichhelping people to save their crops. It can engage in catching small birds or insects, it happens that it is content with lizards. Like all birds listed in the Red Book, this hawk is under state protection. Capturing him is prohibited. No breeding information available.
