hen harrier

noun

common harrier of North America and Europe; nests in marshes and open land

• Syn: ↑marsh hawk, ↑northern harrier, ↑Circus cyaneus

• Hypernyms: ↑harrier

• Member Holonyms: ↑Circus, ↑genus Circus

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noun

: a common harrier (Circus cyaneus) of which the adult male is largely bluish gray and the female and young male brown above and buff with dark streaks below, the two types differing so much that they are sometimes mistaken for members of different species — compare marsh hawk

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Brit.

See northern harrier.

[1555-65]

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hen harrier noun

A bird of prey, the common harrier

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Main Entry: ↑hen

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hen harrier,

a hawk that preys on small animals.