Hen Harrier

Name: Hen Harrier

Scientific name: Circus cyaneus

Category: Birds

Nature Stars: 80

What are nature stars?

About: Hen Harriers nest on the ground amongst heather on upland moorland, and winter in the lowlands, particularly around the coast, on heathland and on farmland. They are currently the most endangered breeding bird of prey in England: Hen Harriers feed on smal

How to identify: Males are grey with a white rump, pale underside and black wing tips. Females are brown above, streaky below, wth a white rump and a banded tail.

Where: Nests in Scotland and parts of upland Wales. Only a tiny handful of pairs now nest in parts of upland England. Winters in small and decreasing numbers throughout Britain.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 80
• Agility: 80
• Rarity: 90
• Cute factor: 30
• Traveller: 60

Fantastic fact: Female Hen Harriers are known as Ring-tails

Photograph credit: Peter Baer