Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus

A ghost of the grasslands, this elegant raptor glides low over open fields, surprising prey with its silent approach.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Hen Harrier is a slender, medium-sized raptor with long wings and tail. Males are predominantly pale grey with black wingtips, while females are larger and brown with white rump patches.

Juveniles resemble females but have warmer and richer, red-brown plumage. All ages display a distinctive owl-like facial disc, contributing to their exceptional hearing abilities. Eyes and legs are yellow in both sexes.

Size

Length

41cm to 52cm

Wingspan

97cm to 122cm

Weight

300g to 750g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Grey Brown

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Yellow

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

White Buff

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Hen Harrier can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Hen Harrier can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Hen Harrier can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Hen Harrier is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Hen Harriers inhabit open areas, including moorland, grassland, farmland, and coastal marshes. They are found across northern Europe, Asia, and North America, with significant populations in Scotland, Ireland, and Scandinavia.

In winter, many birds move to lowland areas and coastal regions. In the UK, they are year-round residents, with some birds migrating from northern Europe joining the population in winter.

Some of the best places to see Hen Harriers in the UK are up north in Orkney and the Isle of Arran, although birdwatchers can see these graceful raptors on the Isle of Man and the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Hen Harrier. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons