The Papuan harrier is a bird of prey native to New Guinea which belongs to the harrier genus Circus. It was classified as a subspecies of the eastern marsh harrier of eastern Asia.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Found across the island of New Guinea in open habitats, especially wetlands, wet grasslands, and swampy reedbeds. It also uses savannas, fallow fields, and edges of agricultural land where cover and prey are available. Breeding typically occurs in tall sedges or reeds over damp ground or shallow water. Outside the breeding season it ranges widely over open country but generally avoids closed forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Papuan harrier is a bird of prey endemic to New Guinea and was long treated as a subspecies of the eastern marsh harrier before being recognized as a distinct species. Like other harriers, it hunts by quartering low over open country, using keen eyesight to detect prey. It shows strong sexual dimorphism in plumage, with females markedly browner than males. Nests are built on the ground in dense grasses or marsh vegetation.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
low quartering flight with buoyant glides and intermittent, elastic wingbeats
Social Behavior
Generally solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, defending nesting areas within suitable marsh or grassland. Nests are placed on the ground in dense vegetation and both sexes participate in territory defense, with the female primarily incubating. Outside the breeding season, loose roosting aggregations may form in suitable open-country roost sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Usually quiet away from the nest, giving sharp, high-pitched whistles and chattering calls during courtship and territorial displays. Alarm calls near the nest are more insistent and repeated.
Plumage
Sexually dimorphic; males are mostly pale grey to whitish with blackish flight feathers and a conspicuous white rump, while females and immatures are dark brown with buffy streaking and a pale head crown. Both sexes show a long, barred tail and slender wings adapted for low, buoyant flight over open habitats.
Diet
Prey includes small mammals such as rats, small birds and nestlings, frogs, lizards, and large insects. It hunts by coursing low over vegetation and dropping suddenly onto detected prey. Carrion is taken occasionally when available, but live prey dominates. Diet composition varies with local habitat and season.
Preferred Environment
Hunts over open wetlands, reedbeds, wet meadows, and grassy savannas, often along the margins of swamps and rivers. It also forages over agricultural fields and recently burned areas where prey is more exposed.
