hen harrier

8.7

A medium bird of prey with long wings and tail that flies low to hunt over marshes and open land

noun
/hɛn ˈhɛrɪər/

: aguilucho pálido

During the autumn, hen harriers are often seen hunting in open fields.

Examples

The hen harrier glided effortlessly over the marsh, searching for prey.
Many hen harriers migrate south for the winter.
During migration season, several hen harriers were observed hunting over the marshes.
The hen harrier population is declining due to habitat loss and persecution.
We spotted a hen harrier gliding low over the moorland.
The hen harrier glided gracefully over the marsh.
A hen harrier was spotted diving low over the heather to catch its meal.

Synonyms

Circus cyaneus

vshen harrier

Specialized

9.9

A medium-sized hunting bird that lives in marshes and open fields

is the common everyday name for the same bird

northern harrier

vshen harrier

7.9

A medium-sized bird of prey that hunts low over fields and marshes

emphasizes low flight as hunting technique

marsh hawk

vshen harrier

Specialized

8.1

A bird that nests in marshes and flies low to hunt small animals

focuses on low hunting flight and long wings and tail

Surface Forms

hen harrier singular

hen harriers plural

Morphology

hen + harrier

The compound follows a transparent noun–noun pattern: 'harrier' names a raptor and 'hen' serves as a modifier, so a learner who knows both words can infer this is a particular kind of harrier (i.e., a bird). Species names formed this way are cross-linguistically common, so while finer biological details (size, habitat) require exposure, the basic meaning 'a type of harrier/bird' is directly derivable.

Etymology

The name hen harrier may come from farmers who saw this bird chasing or taking hens: hen for the usual prey and harrier from the old sense 'to harry', meaning 'to chase'. That's why hen harrier today refers to a long-winged hunting bird that flies low over fields.