Hen Harrier

There are two populations or subspecies of Hen harriers that migrate from the northern latitudes. In India they are not a common species and identification is often mixed up with sightings of Pallid/Montagu’s harriers.

Breeding and migration

In the mildest regions such as France, Great Britain, and the southern US, hen harriers may be present all year. The birds that breed in Eurasia move to southern Europe and southern temperate Asia. The American birds move to Mexico and Central America. In India, they are an uncommon species and are known to winter along the lower Himalayas.

Habitat

Prefer barren Himalayan slopes and grasslands. Found in colder regions.

Diet

Being larger prefers relatively larger birds in comparison to the diet of the other Harriers mentioned earlier. But their diet in India is not known.