The hen harrier is a bird of prey. It breeds in open areas such as marshes and grasslands in Eurasia and is migratory, moving further south outside of the breeding season. Birds in milder regions, such as France and Great Britain, may be resident year-round, but the higher altitudes are largely deserted in winter. The species is sexually dimorphic; males are smaller and mostly grey and white with black wingtips, whereas females average larger and are predominantly brown and have buff underparts with brown barring. Both sexes have a white rump patch, although it is more noticeable on females and juveniles.
Region
Palearctic (Eurasia)
Typical Environment
Breeds across open habitats from western Europe through northern and central Asia. Prefers moorland, heath, rough grassland, marshes, and young forestry plantations with extensive ground cover for nesting. In winter it shifts southward to milder regions, using coastal grasslands, farmland margins, steppe, and extensive reedbeds where it often forms communal roosts. Avoids dense forests and high human disturbance, favoring broad open vistas for hunting. Range limits and local abundance vary with vole cycles and land management.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Hen harriers are slim, long-winged hawks that hunt by flying low over open country with a buoyant, quartering flight. Males perform spectacular sky-dancing displays during courtship. The species shows strong sexual dimorphism, with grey males and larger brown females, both showing a conspicuous white rump. In parts of its range it has faced persecution and habitat loss, though it remains globally not at high risk.
Female soaring in Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, India
Bird in flight at an elevation of over 12,500 ft in Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in East Sikkim district, India in the month of November
Adult male in flight in Langholm, Scotland
Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
Temperament
solitary and territorial in breeding, loosely social in winter
Flight Pattern
low, buoyant quartering with wings held in a shallow V
Social Behavior
Breeds on the ground in dense heather or grasses, often in remote open landscapes. Pairs form in spring, and the male may be polygynous in prey-rich years, provisioning multiple nests. Outside the breeding season, birds often roost communally in reedbeds or rough grasslands. Nest defense is vigorous, with alarm calling and distraction displays.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet away from the nest; males give sharp yelps and chattering calls during aerial courtship displays. Near the nest both sexes produce kek-kek alarm notes and harsh, scolding calls.
Plumage
Slim-bodied harrier with long tail and wings; males are pale grey above with whitish underparts and black wingtips, females and juveniles are brown above with streaked, buffy underparts. Both sexes show a soft facial ruff and a striking white rump patch.
Diet
Primarily hunts small mammals such as voles and mice, but also takes small birds, young rabbits, and occasionally reptiles and large insects. Hunts by coursing low over vegetation and dropping suddenly on prey detected by sight and sound. Diet composition varies seasonally and regionally, tracking vole cycles and availability of ground-nesting birds. Will cache surplus prey near the nest in good years.
Preferred Environment
Forages over open country—moorland, marsh, rough pasture, fallow fields, and reedbeds—where low vegetation allows detection of prey movement. Often hunts field margins and cut-over plantations. Communal winter roosts are typically in reedbeds or tussocky grass where cover is dense but nearby hunting grounds are open.
