The spotted harrier (Circus assimilis) also known as the smoke hawk, is a large Australasian bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae.

Accipitridae is the largest family in the order Accipitriformes and encompasses many of the diurnal birds of prey including hawks and eagles.

[3] The spotted harrier is a medium-sized, slender bird of prey with adult females reaching 58–61 cm.

Both adults and juvenile birds have an owl-like facial ruff that creates the appearance of a short, broad head as well as long yellow legs.

Adult birds have blue to grey upper parts with a chestnut face and underparts that feature numerous white spots.

Spotted harriers can be seen throughout most of Australia's mainland, except in densely forested or woodland habitats of the coast, escarpments and ranges, and rarely in Tasmania.

It can be most commonly found in native grassland however it is also seen in agricultural land and inland wetlands for the purpose of foraging.

Also it is known that there are many threatening processes occurring in NSW that are affecting populations on a large scale basis that are not happening as prolifically in other areas.

Clearing has affected important bioregions on the NSW western slopes and plains which once contained high harrier breeding densities.