A slender, medium-sized raptor with distinctive hunting behavior characterized by low, gliding flight patterns over open landscapes.
ADSENSE SLOT
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Diverse open environments including grasslands, marshes, agricultural fields, prairies, and coastal areas across North America and Eurasia
Ecological Role
Critical predator in ecosystem balance, controlling populations of small mammals and contributing to trophic dynamics in open landscape ecosystems
Morphology
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SKIN COAT
Sexually dimorphic plumage with males predominantly gray and females/juveniles brown with streaked underparts
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LIMBS WINGS
Long, narrow wings adapted for low-altitude gliding and precise maneuverability during hunting
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HEAD SENSORY
Distinctive facial disk similar to owls, enhancing auditory hunting capabilities in tall grasses and low vegetation
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BODY STRUCTURE
Slim, long-winged raptor with a total length of 41-52 cm and wingspan of 0.9-1.2 m, weighing approximately 0.3-0.7 kg
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Александр Чегодаев
ADSENSE VERTICAL
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