A passing migrant mostly in spring (March – April) and autumn (end of August – October) and winter visitor, mainly in wetland habitats. In the Akamas area it’s seen mostly during the migration periods, in single birds or more rarely in small groups of few individuals.

It’s the largest of the harrier species, slightly bigger than a Common Buzzard, but with slimmer body, narrower wings and a longer tail. It glides with its wings raised in a prominent V shape.

The male has a pale underwing with black tips (primaries) and a brownish-red body. The upperparts are tricolor: It has a brown back, head and wing bases towards the head, grey-blue tail and the most part of the wings, with black tips.

The female is almost uniformly brown with pale-blond ‘shoulders’ and head (cap, neck, throat). Juveniles and young birds are similar to the females with darker brown color.