Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier
EN

Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus

UnknownVUNPLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hen_harrier

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Northern Harriers face severe population declines primarily due to intensive agricultural practices that eliminate the grassland and wetland habitats they require for nesting and hunting. Persecution through illegal shooting and poisoning remains a significant threat, particularly in areas where they are perceived as competitors for game birds. Habitat fragmentation from urban development and infrastructure projects further reduces available breeding territories, while climate change is altering prey availability and suitable nesting conditions across their range.

Threat summary

Habitat

Northern Harriers inhabit open grasslands, prairies, wetlands, and agricultural areas with low vegetation that provides suitable hunting grounds for small mammals and birds. They prefer areas with dense ground cover for nesting, particularly in marshes, wet meadows, and grassland edges near water sources.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier classified as Endangered?
Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Northern Harriers face severe population declines primarily due to intensive agricultural practices that eliminate the grassland and wetland habitats they require for nesting and hunting. Persecution through illegal shooting and poisoning remains a significant threat, particularly in areas where they are perceived as competitors for game birds. Habitat fragmentation from urban development and infrastructure projects further reduces available breeding territories, while climate change is altering prey availability and suitable nesting conditions across their range.
Where does Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier live?
Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier?
The main threats to Northern Harrier / Hen Harrier are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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