Swamp Harrier
A species of Harriers, Also known as Australasian Harrier Hawk, Harrier Hawk Scientific name : Circus approximans Genus : Harriers
Swamp Harrier, A species of Harriers
Also known as:
Australasian Harrier Hawk, Harrier Hawk
Botanical name: Circus approximans
Genus: Harriers
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Description
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 48 to 62 cm (19 to 24.5 in), and the wingspan is 118 to 145 cm (3 ft 10 in to 4 ft 9 in). The recorded weights of adults range from 580 to 1,100 g (1.28 to 2.43 lb). Females are significantly larger than the males. In New Zealand, 54 males averaged 640 g (1.41 lb) and 66 females averaged 870 g (1.92 lb). Going on mean weights and linear measurements, the swamp harrier may be by a slight margin the largest extant species of harrier but it is only marginally larger than some other species, like the marsh harriers and the Reunion harrier. 
Size
61 cm
Colors
Brown
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
18 years
Feeding Habits
Swamp Harrier predominantly preys on ground and waterbirds, small mammals like rabbits, plus reptiles, amphibians, and fish. These birds often scavenge carrion, especially in winter, risking vehicular collisions. Their varied diet highlights opportunistic feeding behaviors and adaptability.
Habitat
Swamp Harrier frequents wetlands, including estuarine and coastal wetlands, grasslands, as well as cultivated areas such as crops and pastures. Broadly, swamp Harrier inhabits the Australasian and Pacific regions, preferring well-watered open country and residing across a range of elevations up to 1700 meters. While nesting typically occurs in tall reeds and dense ground cover, this raptor is well adapted to hunting over diverse open landscapes. Human alteration of the environment, including deforestation and farming, has expanded swamp Harrier's range, especially evident in places like New Zealand.
Dite type
Carnivorous
People often ask
General Info
Behavior
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 are the only bird of prey used for falconry in New Zealand; quarry is usually pukeko and young rabbits.
Distribution Area
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 (where it is common in open country), Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and as stragglers on some subantarctic islands. It is usually found in wetlands and well-watered open country. The harrier only became established in New Zealand within the last few hundred years, after lowland forests were extensively cleared by the first Polynesian settlers; it is absent from the fossil record. It has benefited from European settlement, and is now very common, especially in open farmland.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
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