Circus approximans
| Swamp harrier | |
|---|---|
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| Adult female swamp harrier with a hare | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Circus |
| Species: | C. approximans |
| Binomial name | |
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Circus approximans Peale, 1848 |
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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.
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.
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.
Adult male soaring in flight
Immature flying in Victoria, Australia
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.
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.
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.
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Wikipedia