Species of the week: Hen Harrier

Species of the week:
Hen Harrier(Circus cyaneus)

1. They can be found in the Northern Hemisphere, in Northern Europe and Northern U.S.A and Canada.
2. Hen harriers have  sexual dimorphism in their appearance. Males are pale grey//white while females are brown.
3. They are about 40-52 cm long and has a wingspan of 97-122cm.
4. They feed on small mammals and small birds and live in open areas.
5. Hen harriers are migratory birds, migrating South for the winter. If they opt to stay at certain countries due to mild climate, they generally just migrate to lower altitudes.
6.  It lays from four to eight eggs and the eggs are incubated from 30-32 days.
7. The chicks become fledgelings at around 35-36 days old but do not fully mature until they are 2 years old if female or 3 years if male.
8. They are the only hawk-like bird to practise polygyny.
9. The males maintain a large territory in which they can be responsible for up to five females.
10. They are considered "Least Concern"by the IUCN red list but in specific areas such in the U.K they are regarded as under threat due to human conflicts as gamekeepers shoot them since they influence Red Grouse populations.