hen harrier

noun

British

: a slender, long-tailed, Eurasian hawk (Circus cyaneus) inhabiting open and marshy regions that is largely pale gray above and white below in the adult male and brown above and buff with dark streaks below in the female and young male

In Britain, the hen harrier, Circus cyaneus, is a beautiful but scarce bird of prey, today found mainly on moorland in Scotland.

—Robert M. May, Nature, 25 Sept. 1997

see northern harrier

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now