Swamp Harrier

1. Bold white rump patch visible in flight

2. Low, slow flight with wings held in a shallow V-shape

3. Long, broad wings with prominent fingered tips

Swamp Harriers are opportunistic hunters, feeding on birds, small mammals (including rabbits), reptiles, frogs, insects, and carrion. They breed from September to December, with nests built on the ground or in dense reeds, usually as a single pair. The female incubates and broods the young, while the male provides food, sometimes transferring it in mid-air. Swamp Harriers are partly migratory-some populations move north in winter, while others remain resident

Swamp Harriers are widespread across Australia (except arid regions), New Zealand, and several Pacific islands. They favour wetlands, including swamps, reed beds, and marshes, but also hunt over grasslands, farmland, and coastal areas. Look for them gliding just above vegetation, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active. They typically nest in dense reeds or tall grasses, often above water.