The eastern marsh harrier is a bird of prey belonging to the marsh harrier group of harriers. It was previously considered to be conspecific with the western marsh harrier but is now usually classified as a separate species. It has two subspecies: C. s. spilonotus in eastern Asia and C. s. spilothorax in New Guinea.
Region
East and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in temperate East Asia, including parts of the Russian Far East, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan, with non-breeding birds wintering south through China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and mainland Southeast Asia. It favors extensive wetlands, reedbeds, floodplains, and coastal marshes, and readily hunts over agricultural landscapes such as rice fields. In New Guinea, the related form occurs in open wetlands and grasslands. During migration and winter it also uses estuaries, river deltas, and wet grass-shrub mosaics. It avoids dense forest and very arid habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The eastern marsh harrier is a low-flying raptor of wetlands and reedbeds, often seen quartering slowly over marshes and rice paddies with wings held in a shallow V. It was long treated as a subspecies of the western marsh harrier but is now generally recognized as a separate species. Many authorities also split the New Guinea form as the Papuan harrier, though some keep it as a subspecies. A conspicuous white rump and long wings make it distinctive in flight.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
low quartering flight with buoyant, tilting wingbeats and occasional soaring glides
Social Behavior
Typically breeds solitarily or in loose spacing, nesting on the ground or in dense reeds near water. Pairs are generally monogamous, though polygyny can occur where prey is abundant. The nest is a platform of reeds and grasses, and both adults defend the territory vigorously during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Not a songbird; voice is mostly harsh, sharp calls. Common notes include repeated kek-kek or chattering alarm calls near the nest and during territorial encounters.
