Hen Harrier

The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), a bird of prey with a penchant for open landscapes, is a captivating sight. Males are predominantly grey with black wingtips and a white rump, while females and juveniles, often referred to as "ringtails," display a brown plumage with white upper tail coverts and buff streaks below.

Identification Tips

To identify the Hen Harrier, look for its long wings and tail, which are characteristic of the species. Males weigh between 290 to 400 grams, and females are heftier, ranging from 390 to 750 grams. When in flight, observe their wings held in a shallow V-shape, a distinctive hunting posture.

Habitat

Hen Harriers thrive in a variety of open areas, including moorland, bogs, prairies, farmland, coastal prairies, marshes, grasslands, and swamps. They are adaptable birds, often found in young commercial forests before the canopy becomes too dense.

Distribution

These birds breed across Eurasia and migrate southward in winter. Some populations, such as those in France and Great Britain, may remain year-round, while others seek milder climates in southern Europe and Asia.

Behaviour

Hen Harriers are known for their polygynous mating system, where one male may pair with several females. They build ground nests lined with grass and leaves, and the female incubates the eggs, relying on the male for food provision.

Song & Calls

The female Hen Harrier emits a whistled "piih-eh" during food transfers, and her alarm call is a rapid "chit-it-it-it-it-et-it." The male's call is a "chek-chek-chek," which becomes a bouncing "chuk-uk-uk-uk" during his display flight.

Breeding

The Hen Harrier lays four to eight whitish eggs, which are incubated for about 31 to 32 days. Chicks fledge at approximately 36 days old, but they do not reach breeding maturity until they are two to three years of age.

Similar Species

The Hen Harrier can be confused with the Short-eared Owl, as they share similar habitats and prey. However, the Hen Harrier can be distinguished by its flight pattern and distinct male and female plumages.

Diet and Feeding

These raptors primarily feed on small mammals, making up to 95% of their diet. They also consume birds, particularly those in open country, as well as amphibians, reptiles, and insects when available.

Conservation status

The Hen Harrier is classified as "Least Concern" globally, although there are concerns about population declines in specific regions such as Britain and Ireland, primarily due to habitat loss and illegal persecution.

In the voice of the natural world, we observe the Hen Harrier, a master of the open skies, whose presence graces the landscapes of Eurasia with a silent and watchful elegance.