Family Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae)
Least Concern
Western Marsh-harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Taxonomy
French: Busard des roseaux German: Rohrweihe Spanish: Aguilucho lagunero occidental
Other common names:
Eurasian Marsh-harrier,
Northern Marsh Harrier
Taxonomy:
Falco aeruginosus
Linnaeus
, 1758,Sweden
.Has been thought to form a species-group with C. spilonotus (presumably also spilothorax), C. approximans, C. ranivorus and C. maillardi (and presumably macrosceles), all of which have frequently been lumped within present species. Hybridizes with C. spilonotus#R. Two subspecies currently recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution
C. a. aeruginosus
(Linnaeus, 1758) – Europe and Asia Minor E into C Asia, E to upper R Yenisey and Mongolia; winters in W & S Europe, Africa S of Sahara, Nile Valley, and in Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Maldives#R and Sri Lanka.
C. a. harterti
Zedlitz, 1914 – NW Africa from Morocco to Tunisia.
Descriptive notes
43–54 cm; male 405–730 g, female 540–960 g; wingspan 115–145 cm. Plumage rather variable. Male generally brown above, particularly on back; underparts... read more
Voice
Generally silent outside breeding season. Display call of male a far-carrying, shrill “whee-ah” or... read more
Habitat
Typically in extensive areas of dense marsh vegetation, especially reeds and reedmace, in aquatic... read more
Food and feeding
Great opportunist, lacks specialization; very wide range of prey, varying with local availability. Prefers small- or medium-sized birds,... read more
Breeding
Laying mainly in Apr–May, till Jun in N Europe. Generally monogamous, but males sometimes polygynous. Solitary or in small, loose... read more
Movements
Mainly migratory in N & E Europe and C Asia; sedentary and dispersive in S portion of breeding... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Population trends varied in Europe throughout 20th century, but overall decline in numbers and range historically and... read more
German population
According to
Gedeon, K., C. Grüneberg, A. Mitschke, C. Sudfeldt, W. Eikhorst, S. Fischer, M. Flade, S. Frick, I. Geiersberger, B. Koop, M. Kramer, T. Krüger, N. Roth, T. Ryslavy, S. Stübing, S. R. Sudmann, R. Steffens, F. Vökler & K. Witt (2014): Atlas Deutscher Brutvogelarten. Atlas of German Breeding Birds. Stiftung Vogelmonitoring Deutschland und Dachverband Deutscher Avifaunisten, Münster.
the number of breeding pairs in Germany is 7.500-10.000.