BLACK HARRIER
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Circus maurus
IUCN RED LIST (Global status): Endangered
RED DATA BOOK OF BIRDS (Regional status): Endangered
POPULATION
It’s estimated that fewer than 1000 mature Black Harriers remain.
KNOW YOUR BLACK HARRIER
Black Harrier adult birds are black, with distinct striped black-and-white tails. You’ll also see white under the wings. They have distinctive and powerful flying patterns, flying low over the vegetation in search of food.
WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?
They are found in southern Africa – mostly the Western Cape, with a smaller presence in the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape and the Free State, as well as Lesotho. A small population is found in Namibia.
WHAT HABITAT DO BLACK HARRIERS LIKE?
Black Harriers are generally found in renosterveld, short fynbos and Karoo scrub.
THREATS
Habitat loss has affected Black Harriers – from conversion to agriculture, to wildfires in fynbos veld and grassland. Invasive alien plants have also threatened Black Harrier habitat. Climate change is also likely to further impact on numbers, as mouse populations will be reduced.
ACTION TO SAVE OUR BLACK HARRIERS
Partnering with the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust to protect Black Harrier habitat is a vital step to help these beautiful birds. The Trust and the OCG work to raise awareness with farming communities, to help protect Black Harriers.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES/RED DATA BOOK OF BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA:
| Not Evaluated | Data Deficient | Least Concern | Near Threatened | Vulnerable | Endangered | Critically endangered | Extinct in the wild | Extinct |
DEAD OR INJURED BIRDS
Blue Cranes and other birds are often found dead or injured in the Overberg. Please report dead or injured birds to our OCG Extension Officer, Christie Craig by email to support@bluecrane.org.za or phone 066 289 5988.
REPORT RINGED BIRDS
Hundreds of Blue Cranes have had rings placed on their legs over the years. We use these rings to identify Blue Cranes. With this information, we can learn more about them. If you see a Blue Crane with rings on its legs, please let us know.
SUPPORT
The Overberg Crane Group is the only organisation dedicated to protecting our Overberg’s birds, like Blue Cranes and Cape Vultures. We need your help to protect our threatened bird species from possible future extinction.
BIRDLASSER APP
There’s a convenient way for bird lovers to note the birds they see – using the BirdLasser app. You can download the BirdLasser app to your cellphone. It’s also a great tool for bird lovers to keep accurate records of their sightings
