Hen harrier Circus cyaneus

Features

The hen harrier is the only harrier that can be seen in Central Europe in the winter half-year. In Slovenia it is mostly present in winter.

Species	Bird
Living space	Field, Meadow, Swamp
Size	43 - 51 cm
Weight	390 g

Description

This type of harrier does not have a specific habitat as other species do and does not avoid arable land when nesting. There are even examples of nesting among young conifers or in cereal fields. The males are light grey (almost white below), and the edges of the wings are black. The females are brown above, and the underparts are coloured with grainy (brownish-white) shades. When they sail, like most harriers, they hold their wings raised above the horizontal. They feed on small rodents to the size of hares, and birds to the size of the partridge, which they attack from smaller heights.