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Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus

 
 

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female head

female head
female head
female
female
European distribution
European distribution
ringtail flying
ringtail flying
  

Identification

Hen Harriers may glide slowly over the ground on V-shaped wings like Marsh Harriers but they are always smaller and slimmer. The male lacks the brown body of a Marsh Harrier and so looks almost completely grey, or even white, apart from the black wing tips and the smoky trailing edge to the wing. Females or immatures are slimmer and noticeably longer in the wing than Marsh Harriers and have obvious white rumps. Their barred tails earn them the nickname of 'ringtails'.

Habitat

Breeds on moorland and in young conifer plantations. Winters on moorland and on lowland fields, marshes and estuaries.

Behaviour

The male has a spectacular tumbling and somersaulting display. This involves diving steeply towards the ground then rearing up almost vertically before shooting downwards again. This can be repeated several times in quick succession.

Migration

Europe's northern and eastern populations are migratory, spending the winters in central and southern Europe. A few individuals have been recorded crossing the Mediterranean into north Africa and even the Middle East.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

show section BirdGuides rarity status: Local

hide section Most recent UK and Irish reports of Hen Harrier

  09:43 02/09/10 Hen Harrier London Rainham Marshes RSPB 09:30 
  14:22 31/08/10 Hen Harrier Conwy Great Orme   
  18:51 30/08/10 Hen Harrier Pembrokes Skomer   
  16:51 30/08/10 Hen Harrier Lincs Theddlethorpe All Saints 16:22 
  13:51 30/08/10 Hen Harrier Pembrokes Marloes Mere   
  11:50 24/08/10 Hen Harrier Cheshire Great Sutton   
  17:29 23/08/10 Hen Harrier London Royal Albert Dock 14:00 
  19:40 19/08/10 Hen Harrier Cheshire Burton Marsh   
  17:27 13/08/10 Hen Harrier Cheshire Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB 17:07 
  21:13 20/07/10 Hen Harrier Cheshire Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB 17:15 

hide section Most recent photos of Hen Harrier (10)

hide section Key UK sites for Hen Harrier (14)

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show section European breeding populations (25)

show section Products featuring Hen Harrier (11)

hide section External Links (1)

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob2610.htm http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob2610.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Hen HarrierEdit this link Edit this link
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hide section Articles (13)

Natural England/RSPB: Caught on camera: Eagle Owl raids Hen Harrier nest Natural England/RSPB: Caught on camera: Eagle Owl raids Hen Harrier nest Natural England/RSPB: Caught on camera: Eagle Owl raids Hen Harrier nestNew content  Wednesday 9th June 2010
A newly confirmed threat to the beleaguered English Hen Harrier population?  read on read on
RSPB: Hunt for the harrier RSPB: Hunt for the harrier RSPB: Hunt for the harrierFriday 21st May 2010
Public urged to help in fight to save England's Hen Harriers.  read on read on
RSPB: Challenge to resolve Hen Harrier–Red Grouse conflict RSPB: Challenge to resolve Hen Harrier–Red Grouse conflict RSPB: Challenge to resolve Hen Harrier–Red Grouse conflictThursday 20th August 2009
Conservationists call for review of the way crimes against wildlife are dealt with in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  read on read on
RSPB: Where are all the harriers? RSPB: Where are all the harriers? RSPB: Where are all the harriers?Thursday 11th September 2008
Numbers of Hen Harriers – England’s most threatened bird of prey - are flat-lining with no sign of a recovery.  read on read on
RSPB: New study shows Hen Harriers and waders can live together RSPB: New study shows Hen Harriers and waders can live together RSPB: New study shows Hen Harriers and waders can live togetherThursday 7th August 2008
Their principal songbird prey may be reduced.  read on read on
RSPB: launches campaign to stamp out bird of prey slaughter RSPB: launches campaign to stamp out bird of prey slaughter RSPB: launches campaign to stamp out bird of prey slaughterTuesday 22nd April 2008
Details of the new campaign, and a chance to download the latest report on bird-related crimes across the UK in 2006.  read on read on
RSPB: Looking out for England's Hen Harriers RSPB: Looking out for England's Hen Harriers RSPB: Looking out for England's Hen HarriersThursday 6th March 2008
Round-the-clock protection to safeguard future of these persecuted birds.  read on read on
Hen Harrier shooting enquiry to go no further Hen Harrier shooting enquiry to go no further Hen Harrier shooting enquiry to go no furtherTuesday 6th November 2007
CPS blame lack of evidence.  read on read on
Hen Harriers shot on Royal Estate  Hen Harriers shot on Royal Estate  Webzine subscribers onlyWednesday 31st October 2007
Norfolk Constabulary seek witnesses.
RSPB: Volunteers Rally to Help Safeguard Rare Birds RSPB: Volunteers Rally to Help Safeguard Rare Birds RSPB: Volunteers Rally to Help Safeguard Rare BirdsThursday 14th June 2007
A task force of volunteers has rallied round to help with a 24-hour security operation to watch over a pair of rare birds of prey.  read on read on
England's 'Most Endangered Bird of Prey' Nests at North Pennines Site England's 'Most Endangered Bird of Prey' Nests at North Pennines Site England's 'Most Endangered Bird of Prey' Nests at North Pennines SiteFriday 27th June 2003
Four young Hen Harriers - the most endangered bird of prey in England - have successfully flown from a nest in the North Pennines, the RSPB announced today.  read on read on
Chicks for Hen Harrier Recovery Project Chicks for Hen Harrier Recovery Project Chicks for Hen Harrier Recovery ProjectThursday 8th August 2002
English Nature's Hen Harrier Recovery Project has recorded a great success this year with the fantastic news that six young birds have been safely reared in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the first successful breeding of this endangered bird in the Dales for nine years.  read on read on
Hope for Hen Harrier: English Nature encouraged by spring sightings Hope for Hen Harrier: English Nature encouraged by spring sightings Hope for Hen Harrier: English Nature encouraged by spring sightingsWednesday 1st May 2002
A new project aims to monitor and increase the English Hen Harrier population - can you help?  read on read on

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i would like to comment on the hen harrier,s i live on the isle of man and we have a good amount of hen harries over here.and there breeding quit well.the habitat is like a lot of forest,sso i thought i would let you know about the hen harrier over here.
   stonechat, today 19:27Edit post Edit post Report inappropriate post Inappropriate
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