Piton des Neiges is one of two shield volcanos located on Réunion. The volcano rose out of the sea to form the island about two million years ago. It has been extinct for thousands of years, but managed to create most of Réunion’s land mass. Piton de la Fournaise, the second peak, is one of the most active volcanos in the world.
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Circus maillardi - The range of the Réunion marsh harrier had once included the nearby Mauritius Islands, but is now limited to Réunion Island. Measuring 54 centimeters in length, it is considered a large harrier, but unlike most birds of prey, the wings of a marsh harrier are short and rounded; this allows the bird to maneuver with ease through the denser brush. Only hummingbirds can perform a true hover, but most species of harriers are able to momentarily “wind hover” by flying into the wind at a speed equal in force to the on-coming wind.
