Eastern marsh harrier
Eastern marsh harrier | |
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An eastern marsh harrier at the Candaba Bird Sanctuary, Philippines | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Accipitriformes |
Family: | Accipitridae |
Genus: | Circus |
Species: | C. spilonotus
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Binomial name | |
Circus spilonotus Kaup, 1847
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The eastern marsh harrier (Circus spilonotus) is a
Description
It is 48 to 58 cm long with a wingspan of 113 to 137 cm; like most birds of prey, the female is usually larger than the male. The male's plumage is variable; typically the head, breast, back and wing-coverts are blackish with pale streaks. The rest of the wing is grey with black wingtips and a white front edge. The tail is grey, the rump is white and the underparts are mostly white. The female is dark brown with buff streaking on the head and underparts. The rump is often whitish and the tail has dark bars. Young birds are dark brown with buff on the head and a pale patch on the underwing.
It is usually silent but has a mewing call which is most often uttered at roost sites.
Distribution and habitat
Eastern marsh harriers are generally
The wintering range includes southern China,
Its preferred habitat is open country including
Diet and reproduction
While hunting it flies low over the ground with the wings held in a shallow V-shape. Its prey includes small mammals, birds and frogs.
The
References
- . Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- Mark A. Brazil (1991) The Birds of Japan, Christopher Helm, London
- Roger Clarke (1995) The Marsh Harrier, Hamlyn, London.
- John MacKinnon & Karen Phillipps (2000) A Field Guide to the Birds of China. Oxford University Press.
- Craig Robson (2002) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. New Holland, London.