Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus

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Brief #

Male is mainly grey above and white below, female is brown above with white upper tail coverts.

Synonyms #

  • Aguilucho pálido (Spanish)
  • Gatafornela (Galician)

Red List Status #

The Hen Harrier is unlikely to become extinct in the near future.
Find out more about IUCN's Red List program here

Description #

Male is mainly grey above and white below except for the upper breast, which is grey like the upperparts, and the rump, which is white; the wings are grey with black wingtips. The female is brown above with white upper tail coverts, hence females, and the similar juveniles, are often called "ringtails". Their underparts are buff streaked with brown. Immatures look like females but with less distinct barring, dark brown secondaries dark brown and less-streaked belly

Measurements #

Length: 41 - 52 cm
Wingspan: 0.97 - 1.22 m
Weight: 290 - 750 g

Similar species #