See also:
Circus aeruginosus Linnaeus, 1758

Synonyms

Circus aeruginosus unicolor Radde, 1884

Description

Please see the page of Marsh-Harrier (Circus aeruginosus). The characters of the race: Male in full plumage has rufous-buffy head with dark brown streaking, back dark-brown with rusty edges, scapulars dark-brown with grey cross bands at base, upper tail coverts brown with grey spots, cheeks and ear coverts brown. First five primaries black with white base to inner webs, outer ones silvery. Others primaries bluish grey with whitish pattern. Throat whitish, breast and belly brownish-red with dark streaks. Female in full plumage has lighter head and top part of neck, back and shoulders darker than spilonotus.

Distribution

Nests throughout plains of Kazakhstan, except waterless and mountain areas; widespread on migration. Wintering south of Chimkent. On Chardara reservoir 18-21 December 2003 observed 30 birds.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005
Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999.