Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus
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Circus cyaneus
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Mass
~390 g
Habitat
Grasslands and meadows
Diet
Small vertebrates
How to recognize it
The Hen Harrier is a low-flying hunter of open ground, moving with long wings and a long tail held close to the land. In the field, the different looks of males and females stand out, especially when they drift just above grass or marsh.
It hunts in a calm, methodical way, sweeping an area while it watches and listens for movement below. Its call is sharp and noticeable, and in the breeding season the male adds dramatic aerial twists and drops.
It uses marshes, grasslands, bogs, heath, edges, and cut-over areas where there is room to hunt. Small rodents make up most of the diet, with amphibians, reptiles, insects, and some other small prey also taken. In many places it moves south for winter, though some populations stay year-round in milder regions.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Hen Harrier is a low-flying hunter of open ground, moving with long wings and a long tail held close to the land. In the field, the different looks of males and females stand out, especially when they drift just above grass or marsh.
It hunts in a calm, methodical way, sweeping an area while it watches and listens for movement below. Its call is sharp and noticeable, and in the breeding season the male adds dramatic aerial twists and drops.
It uses marshes, grasslands, bogs, heath, edges, and cut-over areas where there is room to hunt. Small rodents make up most of the diet, with amphibians, reptiles, insects, and some other small prey also taken. In many places it moves south for winter, though some populations stay year-round in milder regions.
How to recognize it
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Circus cyaneus Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Hen harrier Encyclopedia article