This migratory bird of prey, like other harriers, has distinct male and female plumage. The pallid harrier male has very pale grey upperparts and is white below. In flight, the distinctive black wing tips can be seen. The female is brown, with a paler belly and a heavily marked breast and head. Young pallid harriers have colouration similar to the female, except with a rusty coloured underbody. The genus name of the pallid harrier, Circus, refers to the male’s circling, acrobatic flight display, undertaken to impress a female during courtship.