The Merlin Falcon

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 12 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #147 in Animals, #5,144 overall

The Merlin Falcon

The Merlin Falcon is a small, but deadly bird of prey. They often prey on small to medium size birds, swooping down and grabbing the unsuspecting bird in flight. Once they've sunk their razor-sharp talons into their prey, the fight is over. The songbird, the Merlin's prey of choice, didn't have a prayer.

Merlin Falcons can be seen throughout North America but they are an elusive bird. For the birder, spotting one is a rare treat.

Small but Deadly

Description 

The Merlin Falcon is a small bird of prey measuring just 10 to 13 inches with a wing span of two feet, but like all falcons, they have large heads, notched beaks, and heavy shoulders. Its breast and belly are buff colored with dark brown streaks. Its back, wings, tail, and crown are a light blue-gray. Like its breast and belly, the Merlin's head is buff colored and its eyebrows distinct. Its tail is narrow and banded ad the wings pointed. Its legs and feet are yellow and its talons black. The Merlin Falcon resembles a pigeon in flight thus being coined the Pigeon Hawk.

The Female Merlin is similar in size to the male, but its wings and back are brown rather than blue-gray. Immature Merlin Falcons resemble the female.

The Merlin Falcon 

I told you to leave me alone! by Laram777

I told you to leave...

The Thinker..... by Laram777

The Thinker.....

Merlin Falcon having a snack by Laram777

Merlin Falcon having...

Snack time! by Laram777

Snack time!

What chu talkin' bout Willis? by Laram777

What chu talkin' bou...

Merlin Falcon - showing you his lunch by Laram777

Merlin Falcon - show...

automatically generated by Flickr

Range and Habitat 

The Merlin Falcon can be found throughout North America but are not a common sight in any particular area. A breeding pair needs a large territory in which to hunt and they are very territorial. They do not share the same space.

During the breeding season they inhabit the coniferous forests, but throughout the remainder of the year, they prefer open areas found in fields, grasslands, marshlands, and lakeshores. They are a migratory bird and will move southward when the weather cools.

The Merlin Falcon 

YouTube thumbnail
young merlin falcon comes to m...

Runtime: 0:21 | 843 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Merlin Falcon & Song

Runtime: 2:12 | 6869 views | Comments

YouTube thumbnail
Merlin Falcon In flight Inspir...

Runtime: 0:48 | 2093 views | Comments

automatically generated by YouTube"

Mating and Nesting 

As with most falcons, the Merlin Falcon's courtship rituals include fancy flying and increased vocalization. Once mated, a nest site is chosen. The nest can be in a tree, tucked into a crevice, or high on a cliff. They often use abandoned nests of other raptors.

The female will lay a clutch of four to six eggs. The eggs are a cream color with brown markings. The eggs are not laid all at once but spaced out with two to three days between them. The eggs are incubated for 27 to 32 days with the female taking primary responsibility. The young usually fledge at six to eight weeks and are able to breed the following year.

Diet 

The Merlin Falcon feeds primarily on small to medium size birds, but they will also hunt bats, insects, mice, and other rodents. They often swoop down from a perch snatching their prey before the danger has even registered.

Merlins usually catch their prey in flight. They rush toward their prey, make an abrupt turn, and smack their prey with their feet to knock it out.

Voice 

The Merlin Falcon is a quiet bird. When they are heard it's a rhythmic ki-ki-k-ik-ki-ki-ki.

Conservation Status 

Then you can start typing your text......The Merlin Falcon has experienced some decline due to habitat loss and human disturbance. However, the habit loss has been offset as they have begun to occupy some suburban and urban environments. The key is safe nesting sites and an abundance of songbird prey. Some Merlin Falcons are lost due to collisions with vehicles and windows, shooting, poisoning, and predation. They are not currently on any watch lists.

Falconry and Hawking 

by Phillip Glasier


Falconry & Hawking
An Amazon Review by A Reader
For anyone seriously considering falconry this is still THE bible albeit there are some ommissions from a US perspective. I have nearly 20 years experience and have read virtually every recognised book on the subject. This is still the book I refer back to the most. A classic.

Selecting a Pair of Binoculars 

What is your favorite bird of prey and when did you last see it? 

aj2008 wrote...

The Merlin Falcon is just so beautiful and this is a beautiful lens Lizzie. SquidAngel Blessings for you.

ReplyPosted October 05, 2009

TheGreenerMe wrote...

These birds are beautiful! I've been lucky enough to see one of these in flight. It is confusing with their colors, they do resemble pigeons!

ReplyPosted April 21, 2009

susannaduffy wrote...

Yet another beautiful bird! I love your Nature lenses

ReplyPosted March 05, 2009

mukunda22 wrote...

I've seen a few of these time and again. They blend in so well that it's hard to spot them.

Thanks for this beautiful lens!!

ReplyPosted January 16, 2009

tdove wrote...

Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!

ReplyPosted January 14, 2009

view all 15 comments

About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen, aka Lizzy Jean, has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,903 lenses, favorited 446, and has created 193 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "California Condor". See all my lenses

The Raptor Almanac 

The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures

Amazon Price: (as of 11/09/2009)Buy Now

Amazon.com Review
Few people, writes Scott Weidensaul, are apathetic toward raptors. Once you've seen a hawk or a falcon or an eagle in action, you're likely to take an interest in how these great birds of prey make their homes in the world. The Weidensaul's encyclopedic guidebook to the world's principal raptor species, well illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts and full of detailed information, is an ideal companion.

Resources used to construct this page. 

Dunn, J.L. & Alderfer, J., Editors. 2006. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. National Geographic Society.

Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.

Snake River Birds of Prey Conservation Area
The Peregrine Fund
Kidszone

Love This Lens? 

If you would like to rate this lens, then you can do so here (Squidoo members only)

Add this to your lens »

by ElizabethJeanAllen

I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
(more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!