(Part of the) common name of all species of the genus Circus of the subfamily Circinae (family Accipitridae, order Falconiformes) and in the plural the general term for the subfamily. See also: 'hawk(s)'. The name is also used in the form harrier-hawk; (part of the) common name of species of the subfamily Polyboroidinae (Accipitridae) and the general term for this subfamily, and sometimes as a common name for Micrastur spp. (alternatively 'forest falcon', Herpetotherinae, family Falconidae). Also existing in the form 'harrier eagle' (alternatively 'serpent eagle') for species of Circaetinae (Accipitridae) and the general term for this subfamily. Harriers (cosmopolitan in distribution) inhabit open country, also in the form of cultivated land or swamps. They are mainly brown in colour, but in some species the male is greyish, while two species (non-European) are black and white. They are slender, long-winged and -tailed birds with long legs and somewhat owlish heads. Harriers have similar habits all over the world and fly low over the ground, traversing it in every direction, before dropping onto prey. Prey consists of small mammals, frogs, reptiles and some insects, but occasionally also a bird on the ground (which they can't catch on the wing). When the male is bringing prey to the nest, it characteristically passes it to the female in flight. Unlike most birds-of-prey they roost and nest on the ground. Some (northerly) species are migratory and tend to be gregarious during that time. Harrier-hawks are curious long-tailed and -legged birds of the size of a buzzard, grey and black in plumage with yellow legs and bare skin on the face, which inhabit Africa and Madagascar.

Alternative forms for harriers : Circus, harrier.