Pied Harrier
Circus melanoleucus (Pennant)

Identification: Adult male is a handsome, black creature with a silvery white belly measuring about 46-49 cm. in length. The wings appear gray in flight with black edges and tips. In the adult females, the crown and nape are dark brown as is the rest of the upper side of the body.The undersides are paler, being white with a few brown streaks. The tail is grayish brown with five visible broad brown bands.

Habitat: It is mostly found in plains and hills but is also present near paddy fields and grassy margins of lakes.

Distribution: It has been sighted in Lahore, Ucchali Lake in the salt range and Dera Ismail Khan.

Breeding: It breeds from April to July and lays 4 or 5 eggs.

Food: Its food consists of small rodents such as mice, poultry, ground birds, small lizards, frogs and insects.

Status: Vagrant