〈Eastern Marsh-Harrier — A Buzzard in Body, a Harrier at Heart!〉

Описание: 〈Eastern Marsh-Harrier — A Buzzard in Body, a Harrier at Heart!〉 (Fun Science Edition)

When the autumn wind sweeps across Kaohsiung’s Qieding Wetland, a traveler from the north makes its grand entrance — the Eastern Marsh-Harrier (Buteo japonicus)!
With its broad wings spread wide, it glides gracefully through the air — elegant, poised, and every bit the sky’s performer.

But did you know? This “buzzard superstar” didn’t always belong to the buzzard family!
In older bird guides, it was actually classified as a harrier, because its flight style looked just like one —
it flies low, skims gracefully over reeds, and hunts with sharp precision — a true wetland detective!

Later, scientists turned to DNA analysis and discovered — surprise!
It’s actually part of the buzzard family, officially named Buteo japonicus.
In other words: it looks like a harrier, flies like a harrier, but it’s 100% buzzard!
Nature sure has a sense of humor.

At Qieding Wetland, the Eastern Marsh-Harrier often glides just 2–10 meters above the reeds,
searching for mice, frogs, and small birds hidden in the grass.
This low-gliding technique not only saves energy but also helps it spot every tiny movement —
a perfect hunter, truly the “harrier among buzzards.”

Every year, it returns faithfully, becoming one of the wetland’s most admired aerial visitors.
And each time it appears, it reminds us: protect the wetlands, and these graceful travelers will always find their way home.