Spotted Harrier
Allied Harrier; Jardine’s Harrier; Smoke Hawk
Swamp Harrier
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Fast Facts
-
- IUCN Conservation Status
- LEAST CONCERN (LC)
-
Classification
- Genus
- Circus
- Species
- assimilis
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Class
- Aves
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 50-62cm in length
-
- Habitats
- grassland, open woodland
Introduction
The Spotted Harrier is a medium-sized Australasian bird of prey.
What do Spotted Harriers look like?
Identification
The Spotted Harrier is a slim bodied raptor with an owl-like facial disc, and long tail. It has a chestnut face, chest and belly, with white spots on the chest and belly. The wings, back and tail are slate grey, with white spotting on the wings and bold black bars on the tail. The iris (eyes) are yellow to orange-yellow and the legs and feet are yellow. Juvenile birds have dark brown eyes and are more dark brown above, and have buff coloured underparts.
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Where do Spotted Harriers live?
Habitat
The species can be found mostly in open woodlands, dry woodlands and grasslands.
Distribution
Australia (vagrant to Tasmania); Sulawesi and Lesser Sunda Islands.
What do Spotted Harriers eat and how do they mate?
Feeding and diet
The Spotted Harrier hunts by slow quartering, gliding, and buoyant flight; it catches prey by diving directly onto prey. It mainly feeds on ground birds such as songlarks, quail, button-quail, and pipits; it also includes small mammals such as mice and rats.
Breeding behaviours
Spotted Harriers build their nests using thistle stems and dry twigs, that are formed into a shallow platform. The nest is lined with eucalypt leaves. The female does most of the nest building. The nest is constructed on a horizontal branch in the outer foliage of a tree.
Breeding season: August to December
Clutch size: Up to four eggs can be laid, usually clutch of three eggs.
Incubation: 32-34 days.
CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
How do Spotted Harriers communicate?
Communication
The species is generally silent, and is most vocal during the breeding season. It makes a sharp ‘ki-ki-ki-ki’ call when a mate is delivering food or when defending its territory.
References
- Beruldsen, G. & Chapman, G. (2003). Australian birds, their nests and eggs. Queensland: G. Beruldsen.
- Debus, S.J.J.S. (2012). Birds of Prey of Australia: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO Publishing.
- Fraser, I., & Gray, J. & CSIRO. (2013). Australian bird names : a complete guide. Collingwood, VIC: CSIRO Publishing.
- Marchant, S., and Higgins, P.J. (Eds) (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
- Menkhorst, P., Rogers, D., Clarke, R., Davies, J.N., Marsack, P., Franklin, K. & CSIRO, issuing body (2017). The Australian Bird Guide. Clayton South, VIC: CSIRO Publishing.
