Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus)

Identification: It is the largest of the three gray Harriers, measuring about 46-54 cm. in length. The male has an ashy gray plumage, which extends over chin, throat and upper breast. The rump is white and the wing tips are black. The upper tail coverts are pure white. The female is dark brown above and streaked with brown on the underside.

Habitat: It is found near freshwater lakes and marshes.

Distribution: It is a rather uncommon winter visitor as well as a passage migrant to differnet parts of Pakistan.

Breeding: It breeds from April to June, the number of eggs varying from 4 to 6.

Food: It feeds on sick or nestling birds (such as snipes, common babblers, sky larks, bustard quails), rodents, lizards, snakes, frogs, insects and crustaceans.

Status: Scarce