HEN HARRIER
(circus
cyaneus)
Along with many other British Birds of Prey, the Hen
Harrier population has declined drastically partly due to
loss of its heath, moor and marshland habitat.
The difference in appearance between mature male and female
Hen Harriers is striking, the males being a soft dove-grey
with white rumps, and females having dark brown upper parts
and yellow-brown underparts.
The Hen Harrier hunts its prey of small mammals and ground
nesting birds by low-level systematic searching. For this
it uses its superb hearing aided by an owl-like facial
disk, and utilises all available cover to gain the
advantage of surprise.
FACT
FILE:
LENGTH:
44 - 52cms (17 - 21ins)WINGSPAN:
100 - I20cms(39 - 47ins)WEIGHT:
0.3 - 0.7kg (10oz - I Ib 9oz)HABITAT:
Prefers open lowlands including bogs, moors, heaths and
marshes, but has adapted to young conifer plantations.
Nests are always on the ground and in
cover.CONSERVATION
STATUS:
Approx. 650 pairs.