 However, most have a preference for a certain type of prey, which in harriers and the numerous buteonine hawks (including more than 30 species in the genus "Buteo") tends towards small mammals such as rodents.Among the raptors that mainly favor small mammals, harriers generally hunt by hovering over openings until they detect their prey and descend upon them.Due to the specificity of their hunting style, prey preferences, and habitat preferences, usually only one harrier species tends to be found per region.