Swamp Harrier
The swamp harrier (Circus approximans), also known as the Australasian marsh harrier or Australasian harrier, is a large, slim bird of prey widely distributed across Australasia. In New Zealand, it is also known by the Māori name kāhu. It arrived in New Zealand within the last 700 years, replacing the larger species, the extinct New Zealand endemic Eyles's harrier. The swamp harrier belongs to the subfamily Circinae and genus Circus, which are represented worldwide, except Antarctica. The subfamily and genus are derived from the characteristic behaviour of circling flight during courtship and hawking. == Description == The swamp harrier is largely dark brown, becoming lighter with age, and has a distinct white rump. It hunts by flying slowly, low to the ground, on upswept wings. The body length is 48 to 62 cm (19 to 24.5 in), and the wingspan is 118 to 145 cm (3 ft 10 in to 4 ft 9 in). The recorded weights of adults range from 580 to 1,100 g (1.28 to 2.43 lb). Females are significantly larger than the males. In New Zealand, 54 males averaged 640 g (1.41 lb) and 66 females averaged 870 g (1.92 lb). Going on mean weights and linear…
Lower Glenelg National Park
Australia
+64 birds+11 mammals
Where limestone cliffs plunge toward tannin-stained waters, South Australia’s southwestern frontier reveals one of the continent’s most sculptured wilderness areas. […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKRoyal National Park
Sydney, Australia
+133 birds+24 mammals
Sandstone cliffs plunge toward the Tasman Sea along New South Wales’ southern coast, where Royal National Park unfolds across 343 […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKNaracoorte Caves National Park
Australia
+119 birds+14 mammals
Limestone pavements and sinkhole forests define this 53-square-kilometre sanctuary in South Australia’s southeast, where ancient cave systems plunge deep into […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKDhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
Australia
+77 birds+6 mammals
Where granite outcrops pierce the red earth of South Australia’s Mid Murray region, a mosaic of mallee scrub and open […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKRinyirru National Park
Lakefield, Australia
+141 birds+6 mammals
Where granite outcrops pierce windswept savanna and seasonal floodplains stretch toward the horizon, Australia’s northeastern extremity harbors one of the […]
VIEW NATIONAL PARKWilsons Promontory National Park
Australia
+125 birds+20 mammals
Granite peaks thrust skyward from Victoria’s southeastern tip, where windswept heathlands roll toward pristine coastlines carved by relentless Southern Ocean […]
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