Western Marsh Harrier
NameWestern Marsh Harrier
Common NameWestern Marsh Harrier
Scientific NameCircus aeruginosus
FamilyAccipitridae
Wingspan (cm)125
Length (cm)52
Weight (g)700
Plumage DetailsAdult females and juveniles (as pictured) are mostly dark brown with a distinctive creamy-yellow head, throat, and a prominent creamy patch on the leading edge of the wing. Adult males have a more complex plumage with greyish-brown backs, rufous underparts, grey tails, grey secondary flight feathers, and black primary tips.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a high-pitched 'kew-kew-kew' or 'kek-kek-kek' during display flights, and a sharp 'pee-eh' as an alarm call.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatswetland, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across much of Europe and temperate Asia, with populations migrating south to Africa and southern Asia for the winter months.
Identifying FeaturesLarge size for a harrier, Wings held in a shallow V-shape during flight, Female/juvenile: Dark brown body with creamy-yellow head and leading wing edge, Male: Grey tail and secondaries with black wingtips, Yellow eyes, Glides low over reedbeds and marshes
Description
A large, slender raptor, the Western Marsh Harrier is often seen gliding low over wetlands with its wings held in a shallow V-shape. It has broad wings and a long tail, typically hunting small mammals and birds in its marshy habitats.
