Spotted v swamp harrier

["Greg & Val Clancy" <>]

Hi Laurie, Gordon,

Only adult Swamp Harriers have a white rump, juveniles do not.  Juveniles 
are a dark brown colour, adults vary depending upon their age and sex but 
are generally brown or grey-brown.  Adult Spotted Harriers are pale grey 
above, rufous below, with a white spotted pattern but this patterning would 
not be seen from a distance.  Juvenile and immature Spotted Harriers are 
usually a straw colour and may show a whitish rump in some plumage stages.
There are also differences in relative wing lengths with Spotted being 
narrower.  Spotteds usually have a prominently barred tail but some Swamp 
Harriers (?females) can also have a barred tail but not as prominent as in 
the Spotted.
If the bird has upswept wings like a Wedge-tailed Eagle but is smaller and 
has a longer rounded tail then chances are it is a harrier.  Brown Falcons 
also fly with upswept wings but the wings are narrower.
Hope this helps.


Greg Clancy