Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus
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
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Hen Harrier displays remarkable agility, particularly evident in its low, graceful flight and impressive 'sky-dancing' displays. Their ability to quarter over open ground with precision and perform steep climbs and tumbling dives demonstrates exceptional manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not the strongest raptor, Hen Harriers possess adequate strength for their size. They can carry small mammals and birds as prey, but their slender build suggests they rely more on agility than brute force.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Hen Harriers show good adaptability, inhabiting various open habitats from sea level to 3,000 metres. Their ability to adjust their diet based on prey availability and their partial migratory behaviour indicate flexibility in response to environmental changes.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Hen Harriers display moderate aggressiveness. They are formidable hunters of small prey and can be territorial during breeding season. However, they are not typically known for extreme aggression towards larger animals or humans.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their endurance is noteworthy, particularly during migration and hunting. The ability to perform extended low-altitude flights while quartering for prey requires significant stamina. However, as medium-sized raptors, their endurance may not match that of larger, long-distance migratory birds.
Diet
Hen Harriers primarily hunt small mammals, especially voles and ground-nesting birds. They use their keen hearing to locate prey, often hovering briefly before dropping onto their quarry. Their diet may include reptiles, amphibians, and insects when available.
Common birds preyed on include Dunnocks, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Greenfinches and Grouse chicks.
Behaviour
Hen Harriers are known for their low, graceful flight as they quarter over open ground in search of prey. They often fly with their wings held in a shallow V-shape.
During the breeding season, males perform spectacular 'sky-dancing' displays involving steep climbs and tumbling dives to attract mates.
Vocalisation
Hen Harriers are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship and nesting, they become more vocal. Males produce a rapid 'chek-chek-chek' call during display flights. Females give a whining 'pee-ep' when soliciting food from males. Alarm calls are sharp, repeated 'kek-kek-kek' sounds.
Nesting & Breeding
Hen Harriers typically form monogamous pairs each breeding season. Males attract females with impressive aerial displays, beginning in late March to early April.
Nests are built on the ground in dense vegetation, usually by the female. They lay 4-6 pale blue eggs, which may become stained during incubation. The nest is a simple scrape lined with grasses and other vegetation.
Incubation lasts about 30 days, primarily done by the female while the male provides food. Chicks fledge after 28-42 days but remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Hen Harriers face significant conservation challenges, particularly in the UK, where illegal persecution on grouse moors has severely impacted populations. Habitat loss and degradation also threaten the species. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites and working with landowners to reduce conflicts.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive low, quartering flight over open habitats
- Listen for their 'kek-kek-kek' call during breeding season
- Observe early morning or late afternoon when they're most active
- In the UK, visit moorlands or coastal marshes for the best viewing opportunities
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Adult Hen Harriers have few natural predators, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to foxes, badgers, and other ground predators. Golden Eagles may occasionally prey on adults.
Did You Know?
- Hen Harriers have asymmetrical ears, helping them pinpoint prey by sound.
- Males can be bigamous, sometimes mating with two females in good prey years.
- Their scientific name, Circus cyaneus, refers to their circling flight and the male's blue-grey colour.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Circus cyaneus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22727733A200497981.
View source - 3
report, 2020: Fernandez-Bellon et al.
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