Spotted Harrier

It is similar to the Swamp Harrier, distinguished by grey upperparts, chestnut facial disc and dark rump. Its wing length ranges between 375 and 470 mm, with females being larger.

The Spotted Harrier is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Spotted Harriers often build their nest on top of a patch of mistletoe, hidden by foliage. The chosen tree is usually in a patch of other trees or shrubs, rather than in an isolated tree. More

* Spotted Harrier, Circus assimilis * Swamp Harrier, Circus approximans * Western Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus Translations birds of prey * Macedonian: еја mk(mk) (éja) f. * Persian: باز fa(fa) (bâz), سنقر fa(fa) (sonqor) * Polish: błotniak m. * Russian: лунь /lun'/ m. More

The Spotted Harrier has a wide distribution in mainland Australia, but occurs in Tasmania only as a vagrant. In wetter areas such as wetlands, it is replaced by the Swamp Harrier. There are 13 species of Harrier worldwide. All of these nest on the ground, with the exception of the Spotted Harrier which nests in small trees. More

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis - In flight Spotted Harrier Photographer : More

Spotted Harrier Size: 50-60cm Habitat: Found through out the Australian mainland this raptor frequents grassland, farmland and swamplands. Hunts by flying low over areas in search of prey, eats small mammals, reptiles and ground birds. Notes: Head, chest and belly brown with white spots, upper parts blue/grey, tail barred black and white, legs yellow. Breeds Winter-Spring. For more information on Spotted Harrier see references. More

The Spotted Harrier is a large, slim-bodied raptor (bird of prey) with a striking white-spotted chestnut breast and mainly blue-grey upper parts. It has an owl-like chestnut coloured facial disc with a narrow light grey ruff around it and yellow eyes. It has long slender yellow legs and a long tail, with a wedge-shaped tip. Its long, broad wings have dark, well rounded, 'fingered' tips. The female Spotted Harrier is larger than the male. The Spotted Harrier glides slowly, with up-swept wings. More

The Spotted Harrier is solitary and nomadic. More

Spotted Harrier Scientific Committee determination Spotted Harrier - profile = Scientific name: Circus assimilis Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable Description - The Spotted Harrier is a medium-sized, slender bird of prey having an owl-like facial ruff that creates the appearance of a short, broad head, and long bare yellow legs. The upperparts are blue-grey with dark barring, and the wingtips are black. More

The Spotted Harrier inhabits Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands and is sparsely distributed throughout mainland Australia. Habitat - Open country, especially arid and semiarid regions. Food - Ground birds, rabbits, rodents and lizards. Nesting - This species usually nests in trees, building a platform of twigs lined with green leaves for the clutch of 2-4 eggs. More