African Marsh Harrier

The African marsh harrier (Circus ranivorus) is a bird of prey, a member of the harrier genus Circus, with a penchant for wetland habitats. This raptor is characterized by its mostly brown plumage, adorned with pale streakings on the head, breast, and forewing, and a rufous hue on the thighs and belly. The adult male is distinguished by a pale grey wash on the dorsal secondaries and primaries, while the female's plumage remains brown. Both sexes possess yellow eyes upon reaching maturity, though they are brown when immature. The juvenile is cloaked in dark brown with potential pale markings on the head and a possible pale breastband. At all ages, the tail and flight feathers exhibit dark barring, though this is often obscured in juveniles.

Identification Tips

When observing the African marsh harrier, note the absence of a white rump, a feature that distinguishes it from similar species such as the Montagu's harrier or pallid harrier. The adult male's pale grey secondary feathers contrast with the female's brown, aiding in sex identification. The bird's silhouette is slimmer than that of the Eurasian marsh harrier, and its overall coloration is a paler brown.

Habitat

The African marsh harrier thrives in marshes and reedbeds, often extending its hunting grounds to open grasslands and cultivated areas near wetlands. Its presence spans from sea level to altitudes as high as 3,000 meters, with a preference for regions above 1,500 meters.

Distribution

This species is predominantly resident in the moister regions of southern and eastern Africa, with a range extending from the Western Cape through eastern South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, and into parts of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and as far north as South Sudan. Disjunct populations are found in northern Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.

Behaviour

The African marsh harrier is monogamous and territorial, often remaining near its breeding grounds throughout the year. It is known for its slow, low-altitude flights over wetlands and adjacent drier areas while hunting. This raptor does not form communal roosts and typically roosts alone, embarking on its hunting forays early in the morning.

Song & Calls

The male African marsh harrier emits a high-pitched, two-note display call, while the female alone is known for a far-carrying "pseeew-pseeew" call associated with food and copulation during the breeding season.

Breeding

Breeding pairs construct their nests within reedbeds, sometimes well above water. They lay two to four white eggs with a blue wash, which allows for the identification of newly laid eggs. The breeding season spans from July to November.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the African marsh harrier is varied, consisting predominantly of small mammals, such as the striped mouse, which comprises 70% of its prey. It also feeds on adult birds, fledglings, lizards, frogs, and large insects, occasionally preying on birds as large as the Red-billed teal and the speckled pigeon. In some regions, doves, particularly laughing doves, are a favored prey. The species is adept at catching prey on the ground, but it is also capable of snatching birds and insects mid-flight.

Conservation status

The African marsh harrier is classified as Least Concern, with common sightings at numerous wetland sites across eastern and southern Africa. However, in South Africa, the species is considered regionally endangered, with an estimated 3,000-6,000 pairs remaining. Populations are declining due to habitat loss from drainage, damming, over-grazing, human disturbance, and potential pesticide poisoning. Despite these threats, large areas of suitable habitat remain, particularly in Botswana's Okavango Delta and across much of Zambia, where the species is still locally common. The total population is preliminarily estimated to number between 10,000–100,000 individuals.