The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a bird of prey of the harrier family. It breeds throughout the northern parts of the Northern hemisphere in Canada and the northernmost USA, and northern Eurasia. In North America it is known as the Northern Harrier or Marsh Hawk.This species is polytypic, comprising two subspecies: * Circus cyaneus cyaneus: Breeds in Europe and Asia. * Circus cyaneus hudsonicus: Breeds in North America (sometimes considered a distinct species Northern Harrier C. hudsonicus). The males plumage is darker grey than that of C.c. cyaneus and the female is also darker, more rufous in colour.