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| | |subclass=Neornithes | | |subclass=Neornithes |
| | |infraclass=Neoaves | | |infraclass=Neoaves |
| − | |superorder=Passerimorphae | + | |superorder= |
| | |order=Accipitriformes | | |order=Accipitriformes |
| − | |suborder= | + | |suborder=Accipitres |
| − | |infraorder=Falconides | + | |infraorder= |
| − | |superfamily= | + | |superfamily=Accipitroidea |
| | |families= | | |families= |
| − | |family=Accipitridae | + | |family=Accipitridae |
| − | |subfamily=Perninae | + | |subfamily=Circinae |
| | |supertribe= | | |supertribe= |
| | |tribe= | | |tribe= |
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| | |regionimg= | | |regionimg= |
| | |pop= | | |pop= |
| − | |conservation=Least concern<ref>http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22695344/0</ref> | + | |conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22695344/93503491</ref> |
| | }} | | }} |
| | + | The '''western''', or '''Eurasian marsh harrier''', or simply '''marsh harrier''' (''Circus aeruginosus'') is a Palearctic species of [[bird of prey]] of family Accipitridae, and found over much of Europe, Asia, and north Africa. |
| | + | |
| | + | ==Description== |
| | + | The western marsh harrier is medium-sized; about 17 to 25 inches in length and a wingspan of 45 to 51 inches. Males weigh 14 to 23 ounces, while females weigh 18 to 28 ounces. |
| | + | |
| | + | The larger and heavier female is consistently dark brown in color overall. The upper head and the throat are a pale yellowish cream to yellow. A dark line encircles the eye, runs to the back of the head. Underneath it bears extensive brown streaks on the chest and belly; to a lesser degree this extends to the underwing coverts. Primaries and secondaries are a brownish-grey, with the tips of the primaries slightly darker in color. In the rust-brown male, the underside streaks give way to more white on the underwing coverts, with much of the remainder of the wing a silver-gray to white; the primaries are black. The tail is long and gray, the head light gray with dark dashes. |
| | + | |
| | + | The western marsh harrier holds the wings in a "V" shape while in flight. |
| | + | |
| | + | ===Subspecies=== |
| | + | *''Circus aeruginosus aeruginosus''; western and central Palearctic of Europe and Asia (breeding range); sub-Saharan Africa to northern South Africa, and southern Asia (winter range) |
| | + | *''Circus aeruginosus harterti''; Africa: Morocco to Tunisia |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| − | {{Reflist}}
| + | <small><references/></small> |
| | + | |
| | [[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Harriers]] | | [[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Harriers]] |