Photo: Robert E. Simmons, FitzPatrick Institute / GFDL 1.2 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Marsh Harrier
Circus ranivorus
African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) — Birds of Prey of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 507 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 ranivorus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 507 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African 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 African Marsh Harrier is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) is a species of bird in the Accipitridae family, part of the order Accipitriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF South Sudan and Kenya to South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 507 g, with a wing length of about 36.3 cm and a tail of around 22.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 4.4 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Marsh Harrier?
The African Marsh Harrier is a large bird that weighs around 507 g.
Where does the African Marsh Harrier live?
The African Marsh Harrier is found across Africa with a range covering AF South Sudan and Kenya to South Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Marsh Harrier belong to?
The African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the African Marsh Harrier eat?
The African Marsh Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the African Marsh Harrier migrate?
The African Marsh Harrier is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African 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.
How large is the African Marsh Harrier's range?
The African Marsh Harrier has a mapped global range of about 4.4 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.