Harman Patil (Editor)

Swamp harrier

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Kingdom
  
Genus
  
Circus

Higher classification
  
Circus

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Scientific name
  
Circus approximans

Rank
  
Species

Swamp harrier Swamp Harrier BirdLife Australia

Similar
  
Bird, Spotted harrier, Whistling kite, Brown goshawk, Collared sparrowhawk

Swamp harrier hunting ducks


The swamp harrier (Circus approximans) also known as the marsh harrier, Australasian harrier, kāhu, swamp-hawk or New Zealand hawk. It is large, slim, and the most common bird of prey in New Zealand countryside. It is one of the few birds to have benefited from European-New Zealand settlement: It is a bird of open country and became firmly established after forests were cleared by Polynesians.

Contents

Swamp harrier Swamp Harrier Australian Bird Photography Bird Photos of

The swamp harrier belongs to the sub-family Circinae and genus Circus, which are represented worldwide, except Antarctica. The sub-family and genus are derived from the characteristic behavior of circling flight during courtship and hawking.

Swamp harrier Swamp harrier New Zealand Birds Online

Swamp harrier hunt


Description

Swamp harrier Gallery Introducing the Swamp Harrier Harrier in the Harvest

The swamp harrier is largely dark brown, becoming lighter with age, and has a distinct white rump. It hunts by flying slowly, low to the ground, on upswept wings. The body length is 50 to 58 cm (19.5 to 23 in), and the wingspan is 120 to 145 cm. The recorded weights of adults range from 580 to 1100 g, and females are significantly larger than the males.

Distribution and habitat

Swamp harrier Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre Birds of Prey Gallery

The swamp harrier is widespread through Australasia and many islands in the south-west Pacific region, including much of Australia (except the arid region), New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and as stragglers on some subantarctic islands. It is usually found in wetlands and well-watered open country.

Behaviour

Swamp harrier Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre NZ Swamp Harrier New

Common enemies of harriers are Australian magpies, masked lapwings which dive bomb and European starlings which mob individuals. They have been known to kill young kārearea and have also been heavily blamed and persecuted for killing chickens, pheasants and ducklings. Swamp harriers have been historically used for falconry in New Zealand; quarry is usually pukeko and young rabbits.

Diet

Swamp harrier httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

The swamp harrier mainly feeds on ground birds and waterbirds, rabbits and other small mammals, reptiles, frogs, and fish. During the winter months harriers feed to a large extent on carrion, including roadkill, frequently falling victim to vehicles themselves.

Breeding

This species nests on the ground, often in swamps, on a mound in reeds or other dense vegetation. In some districts they nest in fields of oats or barley. The clutch size may range from two to seven, but is usually three or four. The incubation period is 31 to 34 days, and is carried out by the female alone. Chicks are fed by both parents, are fully feathered by 28 days and fledging about 45 days after hatching.

References

Swamp harrier Wikipedia