The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) breeds across the tundra and expansive grasslands of northern Eurasia, migrating southward to milder regions in winter. In Japan, it is known as a scarce and localized winter visitor.
Males present a remarkably minimal and refined appearance, clothed in pale grey with striking black wingtips. Females, by contrast, are predominantly brown, with pale patches around the eyes that evoke an owl-like facial expression—resulting in a clearly distinguished sexual dimorphism.
This species prefers open landscapes such as grasslands, marshes, and areas dotted with low shrubs. During the day, it often moves into agricultural fields to hunt, combining low, gliding flights just above the ground with terrestrial roaming. Its prey includes small mammals, passerines, and amphibians.
Wintering individuals in Japan are few in number and patchily distributed, making encounters limited. Yet the bird’s presence over winter-dried fields creates a uniquely atmospheric scene—one that blends tension, sharpness, and a quiet, graceful serenity.