# Western Marsh Harrier (*Circus aeruginosus*) The Western Marsh Harrier is a beautiful bird of prey that loves to soar over wetlands. With its long wings and tail, it glides gracefully while searching for food like small animals and fish. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Western Marsh Harrier](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Busard_des_roseaux_Circus_aeruginosus_DSC_3073-p_%2848841507981%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Pierre-Marie Epiney, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Busard_des_roseaux_Circus_aeruginosus_DSC_3073-p_%2848841507981%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Marsh Harrier is a large, slender raptor with long wings. Males have a striking rufous-brown body with grey flight feathers and black wingtips. Females are darker brown with creamy-pale heads and forewings, often featuring a distinct dark eye-mask. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Circus ## Interesting facts - Marsh Harriers were once very rare but have made an incredible comeback! - These smart birds sometimes 'cache' or hide extra food to eat later! - They often build their nests on the ground, cleverly hidden deep in tall reeds! - Unlike many raptors, males and females look quite different, making them unique! ## Special abilities - **Silent Glider:** Western Marsh Harriers can fly low and silently over reeds because their light body and broad wings allow for buoyant, stealthy hunting. - **Wetland Vision:** Western Marsh Harriers have keen eyesight that helps them spot hidden prey, like frogs and voles, even in dense marsh vegetation. - **Acrobatic Snatcher:** Western Marsh Harriers can swiftly snatch prey from water or dense reeds because of their long legs and agile flight. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 48-62 cm - **Wingspan:** 115-140 cm - **Weight:** 0.4-0.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-20 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-8 - **Incubation:** 31-38 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding These fierce hunters eat small mammals, birds, frogs, fish, and insects found in their wetland homes. - **Primary Foods:** Small Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Fish, Large Insects - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Common Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-vole) (*Microtus arvalis*) — A key prey item in many habitats. - **Hunts:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Often preys on ducklings and juveniles. - **Shelter:** [Common Reed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-reed) (*Phragmites australis*) — Provides crucial nesting habitat. - **Hunts:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — A common amphibian part of their diet. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Gliding](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gliding): Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Marsh Harrier? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Western Marsh Harrier? 48-62 cm ### What is Western Marsh Harrier's wingspan? 115-140 cm ### How much does Western Marsh Harrier weigh? 0.4-0.8 kg ### How long does Western Marsh Harrier live? 8-20 years ### How fast can Western Marsh Harrier move? 60 km/h ### What does Western Marsh Harrier eat? These fierce hunters eat small mammals, birds, frogs, fish, and insects found in their wetland homes. ### Where is Western Marsh Harrier usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [s’Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salbufera-de-mallorca-natural-park) — Illes Balears, ES · Park - [Naturpark Nuthe-Nieplitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nuthe-nieplitz-nature-park) — Brandenburg, DE · Park - [Laguna de Zóñar Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/laguna-de-zonar-nature-reserve) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Naturpark Oberpfälzer Wald](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-oberpfalzer-wald) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Parque Regional del Sureste](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parque-regional-del-sureste) — Comunidad de Madrid, ES · Park - [Saladas de Chiprana Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saladas-de-chiprana-nature-reserve) — Aragón, ES · Park [View all places to see Western Marsh Harrier](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-marsh-harrier) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Western Marsh Harrier: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-marsh-harrier)