Papuan Harrier
Circus spilothorax
Papuan Harrier (Circus spilothorax) — Birds of Prey of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Papuan Harrier (Circus spilothorax) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Australia & Oceania. 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 spilothorax
Quick facts
- Weight
- 559 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Papuan 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 Papuan Harrier is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Papuan Harrier (Circus spilothorax) is a member of the Accipitridae family, within the order Accipitriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU wc to se New Guinea.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 559 g, with a wing length of about 37.7 cm and a tail of around 21.6 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 76,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Papuan Harrier?
The Papuan Harrier is a large bird that weighs around 559 g.
Where does the Papuan Harrier live?
The Papuan Harrier is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU wc to se New Guinea, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Papuan Harrier belong to?
The Papuan Harrier (Circus spilothorax) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the Papuan Harrier eat?
The Papuan Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Papuan Harrier migrate?
The Papuan Harrier is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Papuan 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 Papuan Harrier's range?
The Papuan Harrier has a mapped global range of about 76,000 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.