| Length | 48-55cm |
| Wingspan | 1.1m |
| Weight | 350-500g |
| Lifespan | 7 years |
The hen harrier has been severely persecuted for taking game species and has suffered massive declines in numbers as a result. Thankfully, conservation projects are underway to reduce conflict surrounding its controversial prey.
About
The hen harrier nests on the ground among the heather of upland moorlands. It winters in the lowlands, particularly around the coast, on heathland and on farmland. It is one of the most endangered breeding birds of prey in the country; it sometimes feeds on small grouse and fowl (hence its name), bringing it into conflict with gamekeepers and farmers.
How to identify
The hen harrier is a slim bird. Males are blue-grey with a white rump, pale underside and black wing tips. Females are brown above and streaky below, with a white rump and a banded tail.
Did you know?
Female hen harriers are known as 'ringtails' due to their distinctive tail banding. Both females and males attend the young; the males provide food, which is often passed, mid-air to the female in a spectacular display of 'throw and catch'.