Open-country raptors

Swamp Harrier

Circus approximans

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A Swamp Harrier banks in flight with long wings spread against a blue sky.
Mdk572 (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab)Near Newcastle, NSW

In focus

A quiet glide over reeds and grass

A Swamp Harrier gliding low over reeds is a distinctive sight. Long wings held in a shallow V, a long tail and a pale rump help identify this patient hunter. It moves across wetlands, grasslands and nearby farmland, bringing a close connection between the birds overhead and the habitats beneath them.

Where to look

Wetlands and open habitats across Australia, including the eastern states and Tasmania.

More about this species (opens in a new tab)

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