Spotted Harrier

The Spotted Harrier, also known as the Smoke Hawk, is a distinguished bird of prey from the Accipitridae family. This medium-sized raptor exhibits sexual dimorphism, with adult females typically measuring 58–61 cm, while the smaller adult males grow to 50–55 cm. The species is characterized by an owl-like facial ruff, long yellow legs, and slightly wedge-shaped tails with prominent barring. Adults boast blue to grey upper parts, a chestnut face, and white-spotted underparts, whereas juveniles display a darker brown and buff plumage with streaks across their chest and stomach.

Identification Tips

When observing the Spotted Harrier, look for the black-tipped wings and the barred tail. The adult's chestnut face and spotted underparts are quite distinctive, as is the owl-like facial ruff. Juveniles can be identified by their darker upperparts and streaked underparts. The long yellow legs are also a key feature to note.

Habitat

The Spotted Harrier favours open grasslands and woodlands, including acacia and mallee habitats, as well as inland riparian woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands. It is commonly found in native grasslands but also ventures into agricultural lands and inland wetlands for foraging.

Distribution

This species is native to Australia and Indonesia, with vagrant populations observed in Timor-Leste. It is widespread across most of the Australian mainland, with the exception of densely forested coastal areas, escarpments, ranges, and Tasmania.

Behaviour

The Spotted Harrier is known for its soaring flight with elevated wings while hunting. It is increasingly reliant on native prey due to declines in rabbit populations, which were formerly a significant food source.

Breeding

Spotted Harriers construct stick nests in trees, typically breeding in spring or occasionally in autumn. They lay clutches of 2–4 eggs, with an incubation period of 33 days. The young remain in the nest for several months post-hatching. The generation length of this species is estimated at 10 years.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Spotted Harrier consists mainly of terrestrial mammals, including bandicoots, bettongs, and rodents, as well as small birds, reptiles, and occasionally large insects. The decline in rabbit populations has led to an increased dependence on native prey.

Conservation status

The Spotted Harrier is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its large range and stable population. However, regional studies in NSW suggest a potential decline in numbers, indicating the need for localized conservation efforts. The primary threats to the Spotted Harrier include habitat clearing and degradation, which also impact prey densities. Secondary poisoning from rodenticides and rabbit control poisons poses additional risks. Habitat loss due to clearing and grazing has significantly affected the species' breeding densities in certain bioregions of NSW.