Harrier (bird) Harrier (bird) A harrier is any of the several species of diurnal hawks sometimes placed in the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds. The young of the species are sometimes referred to as ring-tail harriers. They are distinctive with long wings, a long narrow tail, the slow and low flight over grasslands and skull peculiarities. The harriers are thought to have diversified with the expansion of grasslands and the emergence of C4 grasses about 6 to 8 million years ago
Celeus (bird) 19–32 cm. They are generally not sexually dimorphic and have evolved specialised morphology to match their unique lifestyle. The "Celeus" beak differs from other woodpeckers in that it is mainly curved, not long and without nostril feathers. Like other woodpeckers its beak has a chisel like cutting edge. A hard rhamphotheca and complex beak microstructures strengthen the bill for pounding and drilling. The tail has evolved for support, clinging and climbing, acting as a third leg or tripod. The pygostyle (tail vertebrae) is larger for strong tail muscles to be inserted and it is more or less stiff. There are