Photo: Subramanya CK / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) — Birds of Prey of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) is a member of the Accipitridae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 704 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 aeruginosus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 704 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western 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 Western Marsh Harrier is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) is a species of bird in the Accipitridae family, part of the order Accipitriformes. It is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL, AF w, wc.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 704 g, with a wing length of about 40.6 cm and a tail of around 23.4 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 13.4 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Marsh Harrier?
The Western Marsh Harrier is a large bird that weighs around 704 g.
Where does the Western Marsh Harrier live?
The Western Marsh Harrier is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL, AF w, wc, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Western Marsh Harrier belong to?
The Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) belongs to the Accipitridae family, in the order Accipitriformes.
What does the Western Marsh Harrier eat?
The Western Marsh Harrier preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Western Marsh Harrier migrate?
The Western Marsh Harrier is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Western 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 Western Marsh Harrier make?
1 real field recording of the Western 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 Western Marsh Harrier's range?
The Western Marsh Harrier has a mapped global range of about 13.4 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.