Eastern Marsh Harrier

Scientific Name: Circus spilonotus
Malay Name: Helang-Sawah Biasa
Chinese Name: 白腹鹞

Range:
Found from eastern Siberia, north-eastern China to northern Japan and winters to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, southern Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 48-56 cm

Identification:
Male resembles Pied Harrier but has black streaks on neck and breast and lacks large white patches on upperwing-coverts. Female resembles Pied Harrier but has dull rufous belly and thigh. Juvenile also resembles Pied Harrier but has darker brown body and pale head.

Similar looking species: Pied Harrier

Habitat: Open country, reclaimed land, grasslands and marshes.

Behaviour/Ecology: Usually flies low over open country with short flaps interspersed by long glides.

Local Status: Uncommon migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2021)

Location: Recent sightings were at Changi reclaimed land, Tanah Merah grassland, Kranji Marsh and Henderson Waves Bridge.

Featured articles:

• Bird List Revision for May 2019 (Revisions)
• RAP301: What is that raptor? (ID Articles)

Male Eastern Marsh Harrier at Tanah Merah. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Female Eastern Marsh Harrier at Changi. Photo Credit: Tan Gim Cheong

Subadult male Eastern Marsh Harrier at Changi Reclaimed Land. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Juvenile Eastern Marsh Harrier at Henderson Waves. Photo credit: Adrian Silas Tay

Male Eastern Marsh Harrier at Tanah Merah. Photo Credit: Francis Yap