African Marsh Harrier

Afrikaans name: Afrikaanse Vleivalk

Typical flight of an African Marsh Harrier hunting

Photo © Steven Herbert

Circus ranivorus

The African Marsh Harrier is found over the eastern half of South Africa as well as the southern bits of the country.

It is a streaky brown colour with the females being a bit darker and more rufous.

Harriers hunt by flying low over grasslands or marshlands looking for prey. These birds can grow to 50 cm, weigh 600 grams with a wingspan of up to 1.2 metres.

Photo © Steven Herbert

They are found singly or in pairs.

The African Marsh Harrier breeds in spring and early summer and makes its nest amongst marshy vegetation.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	167	Circus ranivorus ranivorus
2nd	167	Circus ranivorus
3rd	167	Circus ranivorus
4th	167	Circus ranivorus
5th	165	Circus ranivorus
6th	165	Circus ranivorus
7th	366	Circus ranivorus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	167	African Marsh Harrier
2nd	167	African Marsh Harrier
3rd	167	African Marsh Harrier
4th	167	African Marsh Harrier
5th	165	African Marsh Harrier
6th	165	African Marsh Harrier
7th	366	African Marsh Harrier

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	167	Paddavreter
2nd	167	Paddavreter
3rd	167	Paddavreter
4th	167	Paddavreter
5th	165	Afrikaanse Paddavreter
6th	165	Afrikaanse Paddavreter
7th	366	Afrikaanse Vleivalk

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 48

The Status & Conservation of Birds of Prey in the Transvaal - Author: W. Tarboton and D. Allan - Published: 1984 - Page: 87

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 54

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 156

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 11

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 67

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 37

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 104

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 110

Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands - Author: Alan and Meg Kemp - Published: 1998 - Page: 132

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 144

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 118

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 149

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 150

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 87

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 110

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 182

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 182

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 82

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 142

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 50

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 56

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 47

Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the World - Author: Leslie Brown and Dean Amadon - Published: 1989 - Page: 386

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 14

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 45

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 59

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 61

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 84

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 21

Birds of Prey of the World - Author: Friedhelm Weick - Published: 1980 - Page: 86

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 86

Birds of Prey of Southern Africa - Author: Peter Steyn - Published: 1985 - Page: 190

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 44

An Introduction to the Birds of Prey of South Africa - Author: D.V. Prout-Jones - Published: 1974 - Page: 93

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 135

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 135

African Birds of Prey - Author: Leslie Brown - Published: 1970 - Page: 78

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 82

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List of South African Birds