Alternative Names (Synonyms)

• Marsh Harrier
• Busard des roseaux (French)
• Rohrweihe (German)
• Falco di palude (Italian)
• Aguilucho lagunero (Spanish)
• Brun kürrhök (Swedish)
• Bruine Kiekendief (Dutch)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Hawk and Owl Trust
• Independent Bird Register
• The National Birds of Prey Centre
• Raptor Lifeline
• Raptor Rescue

• FALCONIFORMES (Diurnal Birds of Prey)

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Birds of Prey

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Birds of Prey

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Accommodation of Casualty Birds of Prey
• Hand-rearing Birds of Prey
• Catching and Handling of Birds of Prey
• Feeding of Casualty Birds of Prey
• Release of Casualty Birds of Prey

Measurement & Weight

• 43-55cm (B164) 48-56cm / 19-22 ins. (B166).
• Wingspan: 115-140cm (B164)

Head

Legs

Plumage

• Head and throat buff/yellow-white, upperparts brown.
• Breast yellow-white with brown streaking, abdomen brown.
• Tail long, square grey.
• Wings broader than other harriers dorsal coverts brown with leading edge buff. Primary coverts, flight feathers grey, primaries broadly tipped black.

(B164, B166)

• Head: crown and throat creamy-white.
• Dorsal including wings brown, with leading edge creamy-white.
• Tail red-brown.

(B164, B166).

• Head: crown and throat creamy.
• Body and wings brown; forewing may be creamy.

(B164, B166)

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Juveniles stay with female for several weeks after fledging and may be passed food in mid air (B163).

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

• Usually monogamous.
• Some polygyny, usually by oldest males, who then may supply food to the chicks of several mates.
• Female may be lost to older male following pairing of young birds early in season.
• Male courtship-feeds female.

(B163).

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

• Males circle high above nest in territorial displays, also sometimes fly calling, with quick jerky wing beats.
• Perch openly.
• Take off from vegetation and also from ground.
• (B166).

Adults

• Birds and small mammals (B163, B164, B166).
• Also eggs, carrion (B166).
• Also insects (B164).

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Movement:

• Some populations (southern and western) resident.
• Some populations migrate to Africa and India/south-east Asia.
• Do not congregate at short sea crossings.

(B89, B163, B164).

Habitat

• Breeding: reedy freshwater marshes, well vegetated margins of lakes and slow-moving rivers (B163, B164, B166).
• Also moors, heaths, estuaries, shores (B166).

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

• Declines in western and central Europe; local extinctions following drainage of marsh habitats and persecution (B163).
• Recolonisation of e.g. UK following substantial conservation efforts, but still only low numbers (B163, B166).

• All Harriers are listed on Schedule 1 - Part I (Birds protected by special penalties: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds protected by special penalties at all times") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)
• This species is listed on Schedule 4 (Birds which must be registered and ringed if kept in captivity: Notes on the revised schedules state "Any bird, one of whose parents or other lineal ancestor was a bird of a kind specified in the above list") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade