Harrier Central Sweden 11th October (1 Viewer)

[Macswede]

We saw this bird being attacked by our resident female Sparrowhawk yesterday. The action was fairly close to the window but the angle wasn't the best for ID. Obviously the bird was much larger than the Sparrowhawk but it may have looked larger than it was because it was close. The most likely candidate at this time of year would be a juvenile Hen Harrier, and that's what I think it is but other species of harrier have also been seen in our part of Sweden recently. There are 5 primaries clearly visible.

 

[stevo]

Hen harrier for me.

 

[Macswede]

Thanks, stevo!

 

[Bewick]

5 primaries and overall quite dark. Agreed hen harrier.

 

[Butty]

I should like to know what visible features ('finger'-counting apart) actually identify this bird.

 

[Macswede]

Thanks Bewick!

 

[KenM]

Looks fine for a juv.Hen Harrier to me.

Cheers

 

[tconzemi]

I should like to know what visible features ('finger'-counting apart) actually identify this bird.

heavy build and very broad hand (even without finger counting) and head pattern with nicely defined but very patterned collar, Pallid and Hen are quite similar here.
And with growing S5 left and new central tail feathers, as well as irregular greater coverts, I very much doubt this is a juvenile

 

[Macswede]

Looks fine for a juv.Hen Harrier to me.

Cheers

Thanks, Ken! I've written it up as a Hen Harrier now.

 

[Macswede]

heavy build and very broad hand (even without finger counting) and head pattern with nicely defined but very patterned collar, Pallid and Hen are quite similar here.
And with growing S5 left and new central tail feathers, as well as irregular greater coverts, I very much doubt this is a juvenile

Thanks tconzemi,
Interesting to know that it's probably not a juvenile.

 

[Ratal]

Adult female Hen Harrier - and what a beauty.

 

[Butty]

head pattern with nicely defined but very patterned collar, Pallid and Hen are quite similar here.

Exactly the point I had in mind. Thanks. But still don't think I could separate them on this - which, I realise now, surprises me.
Also interesting/confusing that, for an adult, the chest ground-colour isn't white - or maybe it's 2nd-year.

 

[Macswede]

Adult female Hen Harrier - and what a beauty.

Thanks Ratal! I've written it up as an adult female.

 

[Butty]

I very much doubt this is a juvenile

I've written it up as an adult female

There are options other than juvenile or adult. And no-one has given reasons to sex it.

 

[KenM]

My experience of fem/imm.Hen Harrier is “almost” zero, therefore I reach for the guide as I have done in this instance.
The guide, (fingers apart..all 5 🤣) shows pale wing coverts (assumed this was a sign of immaturity?….ie not a full adult?),
Further I note, that there is “buff” stitching to the outer rectrices, according to the illustration in Collins this would appear to be exclusive to imm.Hen Harrier as is the uniform upper-wing unlike an adult female which should show distinct bands? 😮

 

[Harrybongo]

We saw this bird being attacked by our resident female Sparrowhawk yesterday. The action was fairly close to the window but the angle wasn't the best for ID. Obviously the bird was much larger than the Sparrowhawk but it may have looke larger than it was because it was close. The most likely candidate at this time of year would be a juvenile Hen Harrier, and that's what I think it is but other species of harrier have also been seen in our part of Sweden recently. There are 5 primaries clearly visible.

Hi. Looks OK for a juvenile Hen to me......white on the ends of the sec greater/median coverts, which, is not so prominent on an adult female.