Key information
The eastern marsh harrier (Circus spilonotus) is a bird of prey belonging to the marsh harrier group of harriers. Its head, breast, back and wing-coverts are typically 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.
Length : 48 to 58 cm
Wingspan: 113 to 137 cm
Weight :370-780g
Population : 40,000-60,000 individuals
Habitat: generally migratory apart from the Papuan harrier which is sedentary. The breeding range covers north-east China, Mongolia and south-east Siberia (as far west as Lake Baikal)
Diet: prey includes small mammals, birds and frogs.
Location
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