Montagu's Harrier vs African Goshawk

In short

Montagu's Harrier and African Goshawk are both medium-sized raptors, but they differ in structure and habitat preference. Montagu's Harrier is more slender with longer wings and tail, while the African Goshawk is more robust with shorter wings and tail. They occupy different habitats, with Montagu's Harrier favoring open areas and African Goshawk preferring forested regions.

Identification tips

1. Structure: Look for the slender, long-winged shape of Montagu's Harrier versus the compact, short-winged form of African Goshawk. 2. Habitat: Note the open fields for Montagu's Harrier and forested areas for African Goshawk. 3. Plumage: Check for the grey and black pattern in male Montagu's Harrier and the barred underparts of African Goshawk. 4. Behavior: Observe flight patterns; Montagu's Harrier glides low, while African Goshawk moves through trees.

Size

Montagu's Harrier is generally more slender and elongated, with longer wings and tail, compared to the more compact and robust African Goshawk.

Plumage

Montagu's Harrier males are pale grey with black wingtips, while females and juveniles are brown. African Goshawk has a more uniform grey or brown plumage with distinctive barring on the underparts.

Behaviour

Montagu's Harrier is often seen gliding low over open fields, whereas African Goshawk is more likely to be seen darting through forests or perched quietly within dense cover.

Habitat

Montagu's Harrier prefers open habitats such as grasslands and marshes, while African Goshawk is found in forested areas across various elevations in Africa.

Voice

Montagu's Harrier is generally silent outside the breeding season, whereas African Goshawk may be heard giving a series of high-pitched whistles, especially during display flights.