The Merlin Falcon

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.