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Juvenile Spotted Harrier defending itself to hunt for foodAlternate name(s): "Jardine's Harrier", "Allied Harrier"; misnomers: "Spotted Swamp-hawk", "Smoke Hawk" Size: 50-60 cm; wing span 1.2-1.45 m Weight: 610 g (average) |
In March 2021 a juvenile Spotted Harrier was observed having to defend itself against various attackers over the course of just half an hour in a bid to hunt for prey above a paddock. In addition to the species shown here, the bird was also under attack from a Black-shouldered Kite and an Australian Magpie. All photos on this page are courtesy of V. Collins.
First fight: Spotted Harrier, above, vs
Brown Falcon
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
The Brown Falcon,
although being the one to pick a fight, often ended up under the
Spotted Harrier with its superior wing lift at low velocities
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
Second fight: Spotted Harrier, above, vs.
Little Eagle
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
Second fight: Spotted Harrier, above, vs.
Little Eagle
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
The Spotted Harrier needed to climb first to engage the
Little Eagle
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
Spotted Harrier vs.
Little Eagle
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
Spotted Harrier vs.
Little Eagle
- and then someone else wanted a piece of the action, a
Nankeen Kestrel
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
Spotted Harrier vs.
Little Eagle
and
Nankeen Kestrel
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]
