Pallid Harrier: A Rare and Beautiful Raptor

The Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in open habitats in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is a member of the hawk family and is closely related to other harriers, such as the Marsh Harrier and the Hen Harrier.

Pallid Harriers are typically about 20 inches long and have a wingspan of up to 4 feet. They are sexually dimorphic, with males being smaller than females. Males have a pale gray back and wings, with a white underbelly and chest. Females have a more brown back and wings, with a barred underbelly and chest.

Pallid Harriers are rare and elusive birds, and they can be difficult to find and photograph. However, Tal Chappar Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a great place to see and photograph Pallid Harriers.

Shooting Pallid Harriers with Canon EOS 90D and Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Lens

The Canon EOS 90D and Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens are a great combination for photographing Pallid Harriers. The 90D is a crop sensor camera, which gives you a 1.6x focal length multiplier. This means that the 150-600mm lens on the 90D gives you an effective focal length of 240-960mm, which is the perfect focal length range for photographing Pallid Harriers.

The 90D also has a very good autofocus system, which is important for photographing Pallid Harriers, as they can be very active birds. The 90D also has a high burst rate, which is important for capturing Pallid Harriers in flight.

The Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens is a very sharp and affordable lens. It is also relatively lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to carry around in the field.

Tips for Photographing Pallid Harriers

Here are a few tips for photographing Pallid Harriers:

* Use a high focal length lens. A 300mm lens is a good starting point, but a 400mm or 600mm lens is ideal.
* Use a fast shutter speed. Pallid Harriers can be very active birds, so you need to use a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a second to freeze the motion.
* Use a high ISO setting. If you are shooting in low light, you may need to use an ISO setting of 800 or higher.
* Be patient. Pallid Harriers can be rare and elusive birds, so you may need to be patient and wait for the right opportunity to photograph them.

Capturing Pallid Harriers in Tal Chappar Sanctuary

Tal Chappar Sanctuary is a great place to see and photograph Pallid Harriers. The best time to see Pallid Harriers in Tal Chappar is during the winter months, from November to February.

During the winter months, Pallid Harriers migrate to Tal Chappar from their breeding grounds in Central Asia. The Pallid Harriers stay in Tal Chappar until March, when they migrate back to their breeding grounds.

The best places to see and photograph Pallid Harriers in Tal Chappar are the grasslands and wetlands. The Pallid Harriers can be seen perched on trees and bushes, or flying low over the ground in search of prey.


Pallid Harriers are rare and beautiful birds of prey. They can be difficult to find and photograph, but Tal Chappar Sanctuary is a great place to see and photograph Pallid Harriers.

If you are planning a trip to Tal Chappar Sanctuary to photograph Pallid Harriers, be sure to bring a high focal length lens, a fast shutter speed, a high ISO setting, and patience.

Additional Tips for Photographing Pallid Harriers

Use a camouflage blind or netting. This will help you to blend in with your surroundings and make it less likely to scare away the Pallid Harriers.
Be respectful of the Pallid Harriers and their habitat. Do not get too close to the Pallid Harriers, and do not disturb their nests.
Share your photos of Pallid Harriers with others. This will help to raise awareness of these beautiful birds of prey.