Circus approximans

Swamp Harrier at Lake George, NSW

Circus approximans at Lake George, NSW - 28 Nov 2022
Circus approximans at Lake George, NSW - 28 Nov 2022
Circus approximans at Lake George, NSW - 28 Nov 2022
Circus approximans at Lake George, NSW - 28 Nov 2022
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Identification history

Circus approximans 15 Dec 2022 Illilanga
Circus approximans 10 Dec 2022 Illilanga
Hieraaetus morphnoides 28 Nov 2022 natureguy
Hieraaetus morphnoides 28 Nov 2022 Liam.m
Haliastur sphenurus 28 Nov 2022 MatthewFrawley
Unidentified 28 Nov 2022 MPennay

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User's notes

Apologies about blurry pics was flying high and hard to photograph - flying over flooded Grassland edge of northern Lake George /Weereewa / Nungara

8 comments

   28 Nov 2022
Second image looks so much like a Whistling Kite to me, just curious as to what features you both see to id this as Little Eagle?
natureguy wrote:
   28 Nov 2022
The wing pattern is different in image 3 and the tail is shorter, thinner and square (not longer and rounded)
MPennay wrote:
   28 Nov 2022
Could it be a swamp harrier?
   29 Nov 2022
Good point @MPennay that is a possibility, do you have any other photos that might show the rump?
natureguy wrote:
   29 Nov 2022
I would expect a much longer tail and a different wing shape for a Harrier
Illilanga wrote:
   10 Dec 2022
Hi all. This is not a Little Eagle. The body shape in flight isn't flat enough and wing shape is too elongated. I checked with Stuart Rae. He suggested a Swamp Harrier based on hint of a white rump and the exaggerated primaries. I agree and also think it could be a juvenile based on the darker colouring. When I lightened up the photos, the colouring and the small head shape don't seem quite right for a Whistling Kite.
MPennay wrote:
   10 Dec 2022
Thanks illilanga I agree.
   10 Dec 2022
Yep, certainly not a Little Eagle and most likely a Swamp Harrier.

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 28 Nov 2022 12:01 PM Recorded on
  • MPennay Recorded by

Species information

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