Story: Birds of prey

Harrier adult and juvenile

Harrier adult and juvenile

Adult harriers (top) are reddish brown and more strongly flecked than juveniles (bottom). In adults, the cere (area above the bill) is yellow. Males have bright yellow eyes, and females paler yellow. Juveniles are darker and have a white patch at the back of the head.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10031366/10028197
Photographs by Chris Smut-Kennedy and Rod Morris

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Birds of prey - Swamp harrier', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9980/harrier-adult-and-juvenile (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015