Flies low at slow speeds over open habitats.
VIC: Vulnerable
Indigenous: Jardine's Harrier, Spotted Swamphawk, Allied Harrier
At a glance
FamilyHawks, Eagles, and Kites
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatOccurs in drier habitats than Swamp Harrier.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from May to August.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Frank Lambert
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
36187approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Often perches on fence-posts. Occurs in drier habitats than Swamp Harrier.
Behavior
Adult has chestnut underparts with striking white spots; immature streaked below.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Western Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Little EagleHieraaetus morphnoidesBoth light and dark morphs occur in varying frequencies throughout its extensive range. In flight note diagnostic black wingtips and tail barring. Can raise feathers on the back of the head to form a small black crest. Usually solitary.→Black-breasted KiteHamirostra melanosternonA large dark raptor. In flight it shows a very short stubby tail, and has large pale wing panels. Holds wings up high in a slight V-shape while soaring.→Swamp HarrierCircus approximansAdult has varied plumage, but note diagnostic prominent white rump. Juvenile is darker below. Flies slowly and low over open habitats with wings held in shallow V shape.→