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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Accipitridae
  4. ›
  5. Circus
  6. ›
  7. Spotted Harrier
Spotted Harrier
Photo · (c) Peter Crowcroft, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Spotted Harrier

Circus assimilisJardine & Selby, 1828

Updated 21 March 2026

Also known asTarrat-tarrat

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
ACCIPITRIFORMES
Family
Accipitridae
Genus
Circus

At a glance

The Spotted Harrier is a large bird, about 50–62 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
50–62 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Spotted Harrier look like?

The Spotted Harrier is a large bird, about 50–62 cm long and weighing 412–745 g.

The spotted harrier also known as the smoke hawk, is a large Australasian bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
50–62 cm
Weight
412–745 g
Wingspan
121 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Spotted Harrier?

The Spotted Harrier is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Spotted Harrier eat?

The Spotted Harrier feeds on terrestrial vertebrates, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Spotted Harrier live in Australia?

The Spotted Harrier is native to Australia, recorded across 83 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSulawesi and Sumba (south-west Lesser Sundas) and Australia (except Tasmania)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Passage

8 regions recorded