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Eurasian Marsh-Harrier

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

Photo: Andreas Eichler · CC BY-SA 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)

Circus aeruginosus

Basic stats

Diet

Vertebrates and carrion

Habitat

Open habitat

Range

Breeds from Europe and north-west Africa to Central Asia and the northern Middle East

Clutch size

3–8 eggs

Incubation period

31–38 days

Size

48–56cm

Wingspan

115–130cm

Weight

Males 400–650g; females 550–800g

The western marsh harrier, also known as the Eurasian marsh harrier, is a large harrier, 48–56 cm long with a wingspan of 115–130 cm; males weigh 400–650 g and females 550–800 g. The male's plumage is mostly cryptic reddish brown with lighter yellowish streaks, prominent on the breast, and a pale greyish-yellowish head and shoulders. The tail and the secondary and tertial flight feathers are pure grey, contrasting with a brown forewing and black primaries at the wingtips (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is a bird of prey of temperate and subtropical western Eurasia and adjacent Africa, with a wide breeding range from Europe and north-west Africa to Central Asia and the northern Middle East. Most populations are migratory or dispersive. A normal clutch is three to eight eggs, incubated for 31–38 days, and the young fledge after 30–40 days (Wikipedia, general species account).

Quick answers

What does the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier eat?
Vertebrates and carrion
What habitat does the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier live in?
Open habitat
Where is the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier found?
Breeds from Europe and north-west Africa to Central Asia and the northern Middle East
How many eggs does the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier lay?
3–8 eggs
How long are the eggs of the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier incubated?
31–38 days
How big is the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier?
48–56cm
What is the wingspan of the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier?
115–130cm
How much does the Eurasian Marsh-Harrier weigh?
Males 400–650g; females 550–800g
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