Circus aeruginosus - Marsh Harrier
Feather characters. Barbules are very long (2.7-3.0 mm), filamentous and entangled without any pigmented parts. Slightly thickened nodes (9-14 per mm) are located on proximal end of barbules. Over a short distance these nodes abruptly decrease in size. Further along the barbule, nodal structures are too small to qualify as nodes. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Short prongs may occur along the entire length and on both sides of the pennulum, but they are unequally distributed. Their length varies; in some preparations, only minute prongs are found. The longest ones are longer than 0.01 mm, but shorter than half the length of the adjacent internode. Occasionally these prongs are asymmetric.
Field characters. Length 48-56 cm; wingspan 110-125 cm. Weight: male 492 g (320-667), female 763 g (540-1269) (Dunning, 1993). Differs from other harriers in bigger size, heavier bill, broader wings and absence of distinct white patch on rump. Flies low in "swinging" vol plané. Plumage variable. Adult male dark chestnut-brown above, with slate grey tail, contrasting with grey secondaries and black primaries; streaked isabelline head, neck, and breast and brown underparts. Female and juvenile male without grey, almost plain dark brown, with cream-coloured head and shoulders. Juvenile dark chocolate brown with creamy yellow crown and throat. Builds large nest in reed marshes.
Voice. In spring a plaintive, shrill, Lapwing-like "kwee-è" and similar sounds; outside of the breeding season sometimes a shrill and repeated "kjik" and a vibrating "feeh".
Distribution. Locally fairly common breeding bird. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. In all seasons, prefers large reed beds in standing fresh or brackish waters or similar marshy areas; also in irrigated fields and peat bogs.
Food. Quarters flat areas in low flight, dropping onto prey, which is taken by surprise. Diet consists mainly of small mammals and birds; occasionally insects, frogs, snakes, and fish.