Spotted Harrier
Circus assimilis
Long-legged medium-sized raptor with long narrow wings. Adult has chestnut underparts with striking white spots; immature streaked below. Flies low at slow speeds over open habitats. Often perches on fence-posts. Occurs in drier habitats than Swamp Harrier.
Identification
The spotted harrier is a medium-sized, slender bird of prey with adult females reaching 58–61 cm. Both adults and juvenile birds have an owl-like facial ruff that creates the appearance of a short, broad head as well as long yellow legs. The spotted harrier's wings feature prominent black tips and the tail is prominently barred and slightly wedge shaped.<p>Adult males are much smaller than the females only growing to 50–55 cm. Adult birds have blue to grey upper parts with a chestnut face and underparts that feature numerous white spots. Juvenile birds in their first year of life are mostly a dark brown and buff on their upperparts with pale buff underparts that feature brown streaks across the chest and stomach. During the second year of their life the spotted harrier takes on almost adult colouring with white streaks across their underparts instead of the prominent spots that can be seen on adults.
Taxonomy
The spotted harrier belongs to the family Accipitridae. Accipitridae is the largest family in the order Accipitriformes and encompasses many of the diurnal birds of prey including hawks and eagles. It is one of the largest avian families with 233 species in 67 genera included in the family worldwide.
- Scientific name
- Circus assimilis
- Authority
- Jardine & Selby, 1828
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Circus
Range and habitat
The spotted harrier is native to Australia and Indonesia, however vagrant populations have been seen in Timor-Leste. It has a geographic range of more than 20,000km2 (Birdlife International, 2012). Spotted harriers can be seen throughout most of Australia's mainland, except in densely forested or woodland habitats of the coast, escarpments and ranges, and rarely in Tasmania. In NSW individuals are widely dispersed, comprising a single population.<p>The spotted harrier is a terrestrial bird residing in open grasslands, open woodland including acacia and mallee, inland riparian woodland, grassland and shrubland. It can be most commonly found in native grassland however it is also seen in agricultural land and inland wetlands for the purpose of foraging.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
Due to its extremely large range, and its large and stable population, the spotted harrier has been designated as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.<p>The species was included in a NSW population survey in 1977-81 which used 75 one degree grids to find bird population numbers. The spotted harrier recorded at mostly moderate to high reporting rates (11-40% and more than 40% of surveys per grid, respectively). Breeding was recorded in 14 of these grids. A repeat of this survey was performed in 1998-2002 which found that spotted harrier numbers had declined (less than 20% of surveys per grid), with breeding in only 6 grids. This suggests that a statewide decline of 70% over 3 generations (30 years) will occur. One issue with this study is that due to the large distribution of the spotted harrier this study only covers a small sample of the entire species, misrepresenting the species as a whole. Also it is known that there are many threatening processes occurring in NSW that are affecting populations on a large scale basis that are not happening as prolifically in other areas. This study should be performed through the whole distribution of the species to find and accurate summary of the species population status. This study does however accurately represent populations in NSW and therefore a management plan can be put in place to manage numbers in this state alone.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Greater Vasa Parrot
Coracopsis vasa
Large black parrot that is found in and around all types of forest. Often seen in flight, sometimes in small, loose flocks. Incredibly loud calls consist of rough squawks and low whistles. Can be very hard to separate from Lesser Vasa Parrot, but larger and bigger-billed, with a straight edge to the skin at the back of the bill. Vocalizations are lower-pitched and rougher than those of Lesser Vasa Parrot. Can easily be mistaken for a raptor in flight, but has all-black plumage unlike any raptor in range.
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
Boldly marked black-and-white kingfisher with short, bushy crest and glossy all-dark bill. Superficially similar to Crested Kingfisher, but smaller, with a much more distinctly patterned head and breast and less erect crest. Frequently seen perched in pairs or small groups. Often hovers over water when seeking prey. Inhabits a wide range of waterside habitats, from lakes to estuaries to mangroves. Gives a variety of sharp notes, as well as dry trilling and rattling calls.
Bob-tailed Weaver
Brachycope anomala
A small odd finch-like weaver with a short stubby tail. Breeding male has a yellowish crown and breast and a black face mask. Non-breeding male, female, and juvenile are buffy with blackish edging to the upperparts. A locally common resident in clearings near large rivers within the forested Congo Basin, where populations are scattered. Found in pairs and small groups. Vocalizations are quite simple: repeatedly gives a harsh “djet,” and the song has some liquid notes. Non-breeding male and female could be confused with many other small dull birds, but the short tail is unique.
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