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Hen harrier

Circus cyaneus

Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus)Common
Birdcarnivore

The hen harrier is a sleek bird of prey found across Eurasia's open marshes and grasslands. Males wear a stylish grey-and-white outfit with black wingtips, while females are larger and wear earthy brown feathers with streaky patterns. These birds often migrate south for winter, though some stick around in places like the UK if the weather stays mild.

  • Males and females look strikingly different—a trait called sexual dimorphism.
  • Both sexes flash a white rump patch, especially visible when flying.
  • They abandon high-altitude areas in winter but stay put in warmer regions.
WetlandGrasslandEuropeAsia
Photo sourceRead more on Wikipedia

At a glance

Classification
Bird
Scientific name
Circus cyaneus
Habitat
Wetland, Grassland
Regions in this directory
Europe, Asia
Diet
carnivore
Relative size
medium
IUCN Red List
Least Concern (LC)
Look up the latest IUCN assessment

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