Photo: markaharper1 / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Eastern Marsh Harrier
Circus spilonotus
Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) — Birds of Prey of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 12 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 559 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Accipitriformes
- Family Accipitridae Kites, Hawks, Eagles
- Genus Circus
- Species spilonotus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 559 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Eastern Marsh Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Eastern Marsh Harrier is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) belongs to the Accipitridae family of the order Accipitriformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL c Siberia to ne China and Japan.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 559 g, with a wing length of about 40.7 cm and a tail of around 24.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5.7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Eastern Marsh Harrier?
The Eastern Marsh Harrier is a large bird that weighs around 559 g.
Where does the Eastern Marsh Harrier live?
The Eastern Marsh Harrier is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL c Siberia to ne China and Japan, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Eastern Marsh Harrier belong to?
The Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the Eastern Marsh Harrier eat?
The Eastern Marsh Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Eastern Marsh Harrier migrate?
The Eastern Marsh Harrier is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Eastern Marsh Harrier endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Eastern Marsh Harrier make?
1 real field recording of the Eastern Marsh Harrier — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Eastern Marsh Harrier's range?
The Eastern Marsh Harrier has a mapped global range of about 5.7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Accipitridae
A field guide to the Accipitridae family — 254 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.