Hen Harrier

Hen harriers occur broadly across the Northern Hemisphere and favor open landscapes such as grasslands, marshes, moors, tundra, and agricultural country. Adults measure 41–50 centimetres and weigh 290–600 grams, with females larger and differently colored from males. A conspicuous white rump is visible in flight. Specialized facial feathers form a shallow disk that helps direct sound toward the ears, allowing the bird to locate prey while gliding slowly and low over dense vegetation (Animal Diversity Web).

Small mammals can constitute as much as 95 percent of the hen harrier's diet, with voles especially important in northern grasslands. Snakes, frogs, songbirds, and small waterfowl are also taken. Once prey is detected, the harrier drops rapidly from its low searching flight. During courtship, males climb before diving, spinning, and twisting through the air. Some males mate with one to three females. While females incubate, males deliver food nearby and transfer it through an aerial or ground-level drop (Animal Diversity Web).