hen harrier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical, formal, conservation
Quick answer
What does “hen harrier” mean?
A medium-sized bird of prey (Circus cyaneus) of open habitats, known for its characteristic low, quartering flight when hunting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized bird of prey (Circus cyaneus) of open habitats, known for its characteristic low, quartering flight when hunting.
Often used as a symbol in conservation debates, particularly in the UK where its persecution on grouse moors is a contentious issue.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'hen harrier' is the standard term. In American English, the term 'Northern Harrier' is standard for the same species; 'hen harrier' is rarely used and may be seen as a Britishism.
Connotations
In the UK, the term carries strong conservation and political connotations due to conflicts with land management. In the US, 'Northern Harrier' is a more neutral ornithological term.
Frequency
High frequency in UK nature/conservation discourse; very low frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “hen harrier” in a Sentence
A [hen harrier] was spotted over the moor.The [hen harrier] population is declining.Conservationists are monitoring the [hen harrier] nest.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and conservation biology papers.
Everyday
Rare, except among birdwatchers, naturalists, or in UK news about wildlife crime.
Technical
Standard term in field guides and species-specific research in the UK/EU context.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hen harrier”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hen harrier”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hen harrier”
- Misspelling as 'hen harrier' or 'henharier'.
- Confusing it with other harrier species (e.g., Montagu's harrier, marsh harrier).
- Using 'hen harrier' in an American context where 'Northern Harrier' is expected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the species Circus cyaneus is found across the Northern Hemisphere, but its common name differs: 'hen harrier' in the UK/Ireland and 'Northern Harrier' in North America.
The name originates from its historical (and now rare) habit of sometimes taking domestic fowl ('hens'). Its main diet consists of small mammals and birds.
It is better to use 'Northern Harrier' for clarity in an American context, as 'hen harrier' is not the standard term there and may cause confusion.
It is at the centre of a long-running conflict between conservationists and some land managers involved in grouse shooting, as it is illegally killed on some estates to protect red grouse stocks.
A medium-sized bird of prey (Circus cyaneus) of open habitats, known for its characteristic low, quartering flight when hunting.
Hen harrier is usually technical, formal, conservation in register.
Hen harrier: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhen ˈhæriə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɛn ˈhɛriər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HEN + HARRIER: Think of a hawk that 'harries' or bothers hens (though it rarely takes poultry). Its flight harries the ground for prey.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BAROMETER OF ECOLOGICAL HEALTH (its presence indicates a healthy ecosystem); A VICTIM OF CONFLICT (symbolising human-wildlife conflict).
Practice
Quiz
In which regional variety of English is the term 'hen harrier' most commonly and appropriately used?