Spotted Harriers
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The Spotted Harrier, Circus assimilis, also known as the Smoke Hawk, is a large Australasian bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
Description
It is similar to the Swamp Harrier, distinguished by grey upperparts, chestnut facial disc and dark rump. Its wing length ranges between 375 and 470 mm, with females being larger.
Distribution and habitat
The Spotted Harrier inhabits Sulawesi and the Lesser Sunda Islands and is sparsely distributed throughout mainland Australia. It inhabits open country, especially in arid and semiarid regions.
Breeding
This species usually nests in trees, building a platform of twigs lined with green leaves for the clutch of 2–4 eggs. The incubation period is about 33 days, with chicks fledging about 37 days after hatching.
Feeding
It eats ground birds, rabbits, rodents and lizards.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Circus assimilis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 28 Jan 2008. Database entry includes brief justification for why the species is of least concern
- BirdLife International. (2006). Species factsheet: Circus assimilis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 4/12/2006
- Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol,2: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553069-1
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