ALBANELLA REALE - Royal Harrier, Photo and Habitat Albanella Reale

ROYAL ALBANELLA

Systematic framework

ROYAL ALBANELLA

Order
Falconiformes

Family
Accipitrides

Gender
Circus

ALBANELLA REALE - Distribution

The royal harrier it is a widespread species as a breeder in central and northern Europe and Asia and, with a distinct subspecies, in North America. The populations of Northern and North-Eastern Europe are completely migratory, while those of Central and Western Europe are partially migratory; the wintering areas are located in western and southern Europe, in North Africa and in the Middle East. The Asian populations of Royal harrier they winter from the Anatolian Peninsula to eastern China and Japan.
In Italy the royal hen it is a regular migrant and winter visitor. The post-breeding migration towards the wintering areas begins at the end of August, but the most numerous contingents are registered in October and November; the pre-breeding migration to the nesting areas takes place between the end of February and April.

ALBANELLA REALE - Where he lives

The Royal harrier it frequents environments with prevalently herbaceous vegetation: steppes, moors, post-cultural grasslands, pastures, wetlands.

ROYAL ALBANELLA - Food

The Hen Harrier feeds mainly on mammals and small birds, and to a lesser extent on reptiles and invertebrates.

ROYAL ALBANELLA - Behavior

Except during the breeding season, the hen harrier is generally gregarious, with several individuals gathering in communal roosts on the ground in the herbaceous vegetation in the evening. It is a good flyer and spends much of its time on the wing. The hen harrier hunts by low-flying, snatching prey on the ground or, in the case of birds and insects, in flight; it occasionally hunts by ambush from fairly low perches.

ROYAL ALBANELLA - Reproduction

Reproductive period ofRoyal Harrier: lays eggs between the end of April and June; one brood a year.
Nest: of sticks, stems, grasses and leaves on the ground between the herbaceous or bushy vegetation and, sometimes, in the areas cultivated with cereals.
Eggs: typically 3-5.
Hatching: 29-31 days. The incubation is carried out by the female.
Parental care: the chicks are nests and remain in the nest for 5-6 weeks. The juveniles reach independence about 3-4 weeks after flying off.

ALBANELLA REALE - Status and conservation

The hen harrier species in Europe has an unfavorable conservation status and is considered vulnerable. In recent decades, there has been a significant decline in population numbers and a contraction in its range, primarily due to environmental changes.