FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Eastern marsh harriers belong to the bird of prey family Accipitridae. They are divided into two subspecies, Circus spilonotus, originating from eastern Asia, and Circus spilothorax, originating from New Guinea. These birds migrate as a part of their life cycle. They migrate during the winter seasons to the Philippines, Borneo, and Korea. The distribution of their range overlaps with that of the western marsh harrier around the Lake Baikal region. These birds are found in marshes and reed beds. They are carnivorous in nature and feed on a variety of birds, small mammals, and frogs.
These birds are usually monogamous, having a single partner throughout their lives. They build their nests on the ground with grasses. After mating, females lay around four to seven eggs and incubate them. The males are involved in procuring food by hunting. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, Red List has listed eastern marsh harrier as species of Least Concern. Despite their conservation status, the destruction of their habitat and climate change are the major threats encountered by eastern marsh harriers. Keep on reading to find out more about this unique bird.
If you liked reading this article, then do check out marsh harrier facts and western marsh harrier facts.
The eastern marsh harrier (Circus spilonotus) is a migratory species of bird belonging to the Accipitridae family. It consists of two subspecies, Circus spilonotus, and Circus spilothorax.
It belongs to the class Aves.
There are around 40,000-60,000 individuals present in the world.
The eastern marsh harrier's range extends from Lake Baikal in Siberia to the Ussuri region, Japan, Mongolia, and the northeastern part of China. The distribution of their range overlaps with that of the western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) around the Lake Baikal region. In the winter, they migrate to southern China, the Philippines, Borneo, Korea, Bangladesh, the northeastern part of India, and Taiwan.
Their preferred habitat includes marshes and lakes. Marshes comprise wetlands around streams or lakes. It is dominated by herbaceous vegetation. They are also found in paddy fields and grasslands. Their wintering habitat includes reed beds in the coastal reclaimed land. They are commonly found in waterlogged depressions, estuaries, and floodplains. Reed beds where they migrate in winter should comprise marshes, ponds, and narrow waterways.
They are mostly solitary. However, during the breeding season, they will form pairs.
They live up to six years.
They are usually monogamous, having one partner throughout their lives. However, some of them have displayed polygamous habits. They begin performing courtship displays in March to attract mates to the breeding ground. They build nests on the ground, in reed beds or grasslands, by accumulating dry grasses. After mating, the female eastern marsh harrier lays between four and seven eggs. They usually lay eggs in mid-April to May. Their eggs are usually grayish-white in color. The female is involved in incubating the eggs while the male eastern marsh harrier hunts to procure food. After hatching, the young leave the nest after 28 days.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, Red List has listed the eastern marsh harrier (Circus spilonotus) as species of Least Concern. Despite their conservation status, the destruction of their habitat and climate change are the major threats they face in the future.
Eastern marsh harriers (Circus spilonotus) exhibit sexual dimorphism as the female eastern marsh harrier is considerably larger than the male. They have a wingspan of 14.9-18.8 in (38-43 cm) in males and 44.5-54 in (113-137 cm) in females. These birds have brown plumage and females are darker than males. The males have a blackish back, dark head, pale feathers, and black wingtips. They have a white rump, white underwings, and vertical stripes on their underparts. Their wing coverts are bluish-gray in color with brown rectrices. Juveniles are usually paler with brown plumage.
Their cuteness usually stems from their appearance. The color of their plumage, a prominent white rump, and striped underpart add to their cuteness.
This species communicates through a range of vocalizations. Their calls are usually a mewing sound, while the males have a specific mating call. They also exhibit a variety of threat displays to keep other birds from entering their territory.
These birds are usually 18.8-22.8 in (48-58 cm) in length. They are slightly larger than hen harriers (16-20 in).
Not much is known about the speed of their flight. However, the birds are known to have a light flight with their wings held in a V-shaped position.
They usually weigh around 17.5-29.7 oz (498-844 g).
There are no specific names for male and female eastern marsh harriers.
Baby eastern marsh harriers are known as chicks.
They are carnivorous in nature and eat a variety of small mammals like rodents. Their diet also includes birds and frogs. They feed on large birds like ducks and brown-eared bulbuls along with small birds such as tree sparrows and skylarks in their eastern marsh harrier range.
Yes, these birds can be dangerous. They are predatory in nature and exhibit a variety of threat displays when they feel threatened.
No, these birds cannot be kept as pets. They are considered to be wild predators and are quite defensive in nature.
These birds belong to the genus Circus. It was introduced by the French naturalist Bernard Germain de Lacepede in the year 1799. The word Circus is derived from the Ancient Greek word 'kirkos' which means circle. It refers to a bird of prey named after its circling flight.
The western marsh harrier (C.s. aeruginosus), belonging to the family Accipitridae, is slightly smaller than the eastern marsh harrier (C.s. spilonotus). Western marsh harriers have brown underwings while eastern marsh harriers have white underwings.
They usually call to mark their territories, especially when other birds are in the vicinity. It is a mewing sound like 'mibyaa, mibyaa'. The males have a distinct mating call which sounds like 'kuwe, kuwe'. They make this call to attract mates in the breeding ground. They also have a shrieking call that sounds like 'kyak-kyak' used to threaten other birds.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including northern harrier facts and harrier hawk facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable eastern marsh harrier coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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