Swamp harrier
The swamp harrier (Circus approximans), also known as the Australasian marsh harrier, Australasian harrier or harrier hawk, is a large, slim bird of prey widely distributed across Australasia. In New Zealand, it is also known by the Māori name kāhu. It arrived in New Zealand within the last 700 years, replacing the larger species, the extinct New Zealand endemic Eyles's harrier.
| Swamp harrier | |
|---|---|
| Adult swamp harrier at Hamilton Zoo | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Circus |
| Species: | C. approximans |
| Binomial name | |
| Circus approximans Peale, 1849 | |
The swamp harrier belongs to the sub-family Circinae and genus Circus, which are represented worldwide, except Antarctica. The sub-family and genus are derived from the characteristic behaviour of circling flight during courtship and hawking.
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