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  • Marsh harrier

Marsh harrier

Marsh harrier (male)
Marsh harrier (male)
Marsh harrier (female)
Marsh harrier (female)
Marsh harrier (juvenile)
Marsh harrier (juvenile)
  • Scientific name: Circus aeruginosus
  • Bird family: Kites, hawks and eagles
  • UK conservation status: Amber
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Marsh harrier call audio

Your browser does not support this audio feature.

Patrik Åberg, Xeno-canto

Key information

The largest of the harriers, the marsh harrier can be recognised by its long tail and light flight with wings held in a shallow 'V'. It is distinguishable from other harriers by its larger size, heavier build, broader wings and absence of white on the rump. Females are larger than males and have obvious creamy heads.

Its future in the UK is now more secure than at any time during the last century, but historical declines and subsequent recovery means it is an Amber List species. Marsh harriers are a Schedule 1 listed bird on The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

What they eat:

Small birds and mammals.

Measurements:

Length:
48-56cm
Wingspan:
115-130cm
Weight:
400-660g (male); 540-800g (female)

Population:

UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.
UK breeding:
400 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Marsh harrier (male)

Marsh Harrier male in flight
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff Grey White
Leg colour: Yellow
Beak: Black Medium length Hooked Chunky
Natural habitats: Farmland Marine and intertidal Wetland

Marsh harrier (female/juvenile)

Female marsh harrier
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff
Leg colour: Yellow
Beak: Black Medium length Hooked Chunky
Natural habitats: Farmland Marine and intertidal Wetland

Similar birds:

Hen harrier male
Hen harrier
Montagu's Harrier male in flight
Montagu's harrier
Adult red kite
Red kite
Perched Buzzard illustration
Buzzard

Where and when to see them

Marsh harriers are mainly found in eastern and south-east England, with some in the north-west, south-west and Scotland. They can be seen over reedbeds and marshes, as well as farmland near wetlands. Marsh harriers can be seen at: Elmley, Kent; Leighton Moss, Lancashire; Minsmere, Suffolk; Titchwell Marsh and Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; Ouse and Nene Washes, Cambs and Blacktoft Sands, Yorkshire. Other nature reserves with marsh harriers include Stodmarsh, Kent and Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Marsh harrier distribution map

Marsh harriers are usually back in their breeding areas by April and leave during September and October, although a growing number - usually the females - are staying all year round.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Dee Estuary - Burton Mere Wetlands
  • RSPB Greylake
  • RSPB Tay Reedbeds
  • RSPB Otmoor Reserve
  • RSPB Blacktoft Sands
  • RSPB Ouse Fen
  • RSPB Lakenheath Fen
  • RSPB Lodmoor
  • RSPB Capel Fleet
  • RSPB Leighton Moss
  • RSPB Lytchett Fields
  • RSPB Dingle Marshes
  • RSPB Cors Ddyga
  • RSPB Titchwell Marsh
  • RSPB St Aidan's
  • RSPB Strumpshaw Fen
  • RSPB Surlingham Church Marsh
  • RSPB West Canvey Marsh
  • RSPB Snape
  • RSPB Radipole Lake
  • RSPB Minsmere
  • RSPB North Warren
  • RSPB Old Hall Marshes

Video

Video footage of marsh harriers on the wing.

Video footage of marsh harriers on the wing.

Marsh harrier video screenshot

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