Hi all,
This bird was seen over You Yangs Regional Park in Victoria yesterday. We are guessing that it is a young male Swamp Harrier although are a little unsure and would like to know others opinions. The bird in question is the first five photos in this album https://picasaweb.google.com/112756569112498336946/SpecialSightingsNovember2011#
Cheers, Paul Hackett on behalf of Janine Duffy ===============================
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I should have mentioned that an old male Swamp harrier can also get this hooded pale appearance. But they differ in having a pale virtually unmarked tail from below especially the outer most tail feathers which are almost white, this bird has an obvious dark tail. Male Swamp Harriers also have well spaced dark bars in the longest primaries which lessons their blackness, this bird shows solidly dark primaries. I can also see that the under-wing coverts are a warmer slightly buffy tone compared with the paler whiter secondaries, an adult male Swamp with a white belly like this would also have essentially white coverts from this distance. So I am still settle on immature Spotted Harrier.
Cheers Jeff.
G’day paul and Janine,
I am quite certain your bird is a first immature Spotted Harrier just starting post juvenile moult, they always cause a problem whenever they turn up because the combination of worn bleached plumage combined with the incoming fresh plumage of the head gives a hooded and very un-Spotted Harrier appearance. I would be very keen to see larger file size images if they exist.
Cheers Jeff.