hen harrier

noun

, British.

1. northern harrier.

hen harrier

noun

1. a common harrier, Circus cyaneus, that flies over fields and marshes and nests in marshes and open land US and Canadian namesmarsh hawkmarsh harrier

Word History and Origins

Origin of hen harrier¹

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

More than 1,300 protected birds of prey – from hen harriers to golden eagles - have been killed across the UK over the past 15 years, according to the RSPB.

From BBC

The charity said eight, satellite-tagged hen harriers had been illegally killed or suspiciously disappeared from the Yorkshire Dales in the last year.

From BBC

It has 20% of the UK's hen harriers, 11% of its breeding seabirds and vital populations of curlew, lapwing, and oystercatcher.

From BBC

Golden plover birds nest on Cuilcagh and it is home to the impressive hen harrier, as well as at least one rare alpine flower.

From BBC

All the while, the pine martens, mountain hares and hen harriers for which the Highlands are a natural habitat were being crowded out by the deer on which the model depended.

From The Guardian