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Western Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
(C. a. aeruginosus)
| Armenian Name: | Ճահճային մկնաճուռակ |
|---|
See Plate 10 for Western Marsh Harrier and other similar species
| Resident Status: | Year-round resident |
|---|---|
| Abundance: | Uncommon |
| Length: | 48-56 cm, Wing Span:115-130 cm |
| Distribution Map: | Map 39. |
| Description: | Long broad wings, long unbarred tail, and dark rump. |
| Adult: | Male is dark red-brown with gray flight feathers and black wingtips; gray tail. Female is dark brown overall with light crown, throat, and leading edge of wing. |
| Juvenile: | Like female but more red-brown with slightly darker head and nape. |
| Immature: | Immature male shows less gray on wings and tail than adult. |
| Similar Species: | At a distance, females may be mistaken for Black Kite or Booted Eagle, but differ from both by entirely dark primaries and lack of pale upperwing bar. |
| Behavior: | Hunts slowly near ground with wings raised; drops on prey from short distance above. |
| Habitat: | Ponds, lakes, marshes. Widespread on migration. |
| Food: | Small animals, insects. |
| Nest: | Solitary; platform of reeds in marsh vegetation. |
| Eggs: | 50 mm, 3-8, bluish- or greenish-white. |
