Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus, 1766)

Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, is a bird of prey that breeds across Europe and central and northern Asia, and spends the non-breeding season in southern Asia and northern Africa. It uses open country for breeding, including marshes and grasslands. In milder places such as France and Great Britain it can remain throughout the year, while higher ground is mostly vacated in winter. The species shows clear differences between the sexes. Males are smaller, mainly grey and white, with black wingtips. Females are larger, mostly brown, with buff underparts marked by brown barring. Both sexes show a white rump patch.

Order

Accipitriformes

Family

Accipitridae — Kites, Hawks, Eagles

Breeding range

Palearctic: Europe and c, n Asia

Nonbreeding range

s Asia and n Africa