Eastern Marsh Harrier

Overview

The eastern marsh harrier, Circus spilonotus, is a bird of prey in the harrier family that was previously considered the same species as the western marsh harrier. It is currently classified as a separate species with two subspecies found in eastern Asia and New Guinea.

Identification

• Measures 48 to 58 cm in length with a wingspan of 113 to 137 cm, with females typically larger than males.
• Males usually have a blackish head, breast, back, and wing-coverts with pale streaks, while the rest of the wing is grey with black tips.
• Females are dark brown with buff streaking on the head and underparts, and the tail features dark bars.
• Generally silent, but produces a mewing call most frequently at roost sites.

Habitat

This species favours open habitats such as marshland, paddy fields, and grassland. Most populations are migratory, breeding in north-east China, Mongolia, and south-east Siberia before wintering across southern China, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Diet

While hunting, the bird flies low over the ground with its wings held in a shallow V-shape. Its diet consists primarily of small mammals, birds, and frogs.

Did you know?

During migration, large numbers of eastern marsh harriers travel along the Chinese coast, with thousands passing through specific sites like Beidaihe during the autumn.