Editing Swamp harrier (section)

{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Circus approximans -Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand-8a.jpg
| image_caption = Adult swamp harrier at [[Hamilton Zoo]]
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2017 |title=''Circus approximans'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T22695363A111781121 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22695363A111781121.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Circus
| parent_authority = 
| species = approximans
| authority = [[Titian Peale|Peale]], 1849
| range_map = Distribution Circus approximans.PNG
}}

The '''swamp harrier''' ('''''Circus approximans'''''), also known as the '''Australasian marsh harrier''' or '''Australasian harrier''', is a large, slim [[bird of prey]] widely distributed across [[Australasia]]. In [[New Zealand]], it is also known by the [[Māori-language|Māori]] name {{lang|mi|kāhu}}. It arrived in New Zealand within the last 700 years, replacing the larger species, the extinct New Zealand endemic [[Eyles's harrier]].

The swamp harrier belongs to the subfamily [[Circinae]] and genus ''Circus'', which are represented worldwide, except Antarctica. The subfamily and genus are derived from the characteristic behaviour of circling flight during courtship and hawking.