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

From the lens The Merlin Falcon.

  • Gabriel360 Mar 3, 2012 @ 5:26 pm | delete
    Wow! I never knew about them before! Amazing!
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Feb 15, 2012 @ 2:29 pm | delete
    Returning to sprinkle a blessing. I think the Merlin falcon is such a beautiful bird. I often see them in my rural area along ranch fence lines or electrical lines. They are pretty shy, though. I have a hard time getting close enough for a photograph. Thanks again for this informative lens. Very beautifully presented.
  • flicker Jan 14, 2012 @ 11:31 pm | delete
    My favorite bird of prey is the Barred Owl. I have a pair that lives near my house and I always enjoying hearing them calling during the night.
  • GrammaLinda Jan 14, 2012 @ 7:19 pm | delete
    I think the bald eagle is my favorite. I saw one several weeks ago in a tree on the side of the road. Blessings
    1
  • WriterJanis Jan 8, 2012 @ 3:31 am | delete
    Never knew about merlins. Thanks for such great info.
  • Karen Nov 11, 2011 @ 2:35 pm | delete
    Found a Merlin today, it walked up to my fiance in the front yard, its wing severely injured. We caught the little one and took it to The Wild Bird Sanctuary, they will try to save it but unfortunately the state of Missouri has a fly or die rule. If they cannot get the bone to fuse back together they will have to euthanize the bird. It was soo beautiful. I am so disheartened.
  • saz Tipping Oct 31, 2011 @ 5:45 pm | delete
    Was extremely lucky to see a merlin joined by sparrowhawk chasing a small bird in and around woodland on salisbury plain, and to add to the spectacular aerial display, a male hen harrier came across to have a look too!!!!. we could not believe our eyes. The small bird (who was too fast to be identified) escaped!!!!!!
  • saz Tipping Oct 31, 2011 @ 5:45 pm | delete
    Was extremely lucky to see a merlin joined by sparrowhawk chasing a small bird in and around woodland on salisbury plain, and to add to the spectacular aerial display, a male hen harrier came across to have a look too!!!!. we could not believe our eyes. The small bird (who was too fast to be identified) escaped!!!!!!
  • pawpaw911 Sep 25, 2011 @ 9:35 am | delete
    I have never seen one. Beautiful birds.
  • mermaidlife Sep 25, 2011 @ 4:26 am | delete
    I think falcons are beautiful but I really didn't know that there were different species of falcons and this merlin falcon is pretty cool. He looks like merlin, no wonder.
  • ebobwest Sep 23, 2011 @ 5:56 pm | delete
    Watched a Merlin Falcon for about an hour this afternoon in my own backyard in Sandy UT. It had just caught a mourning dove and we watched the entire time it was being devoured. Amazing to watch, but it was mostly in the shadows so it was difficult to appreciate the full colorization. Its situational awareness was megaforce. The head was continually on a swivel, searching all directions for hostility. It was fun to watch it get a mouthful of feathers, then sort of fan its foot to remove the feathers from its bill. After it flew off, I examined the crime scene and saw nothing but feathers and a few bones.
  • daria369 Sep 10, 2011 @ 11:36 am | delete
    Nicely done lens & helpful resource. ***Angel blessed*** :)
  • Jacqui Parker Sep 7, 2011 @ 2:21 pm | delete
    A female merlin crashed into my front window. I live in Ontario and the Raptor expert tells me they are migrating now. She'll be back on her way in a few days. A beautiful bird, We were thrilled to see one up close and personal.
  • laura Aug 30, 2011 @ 3:56 pm | delete
    I have a pair of merlin falcons who nest nearby on my property and see them weekly close-up. They have been hunting rather low to the ground lately and have perched on low fence tops
  • James Jul 29, 2011 @ 10:00 am | delete
    I live in Phoenix, Arizona a little less than a mile from Shaw Butte in the Phoenix North Mountain Preserve. Yesterday morning I saw what I believe was a male Merlin flying about ten feet over the peak of my house.
  • James Jul 29, 2011 @ 10:00 am | delete
    I live in Phoenix, Arizona a little less than a mile from Shaw Butte in the Phoenix North Mountain Preserve. Yesterday morning I saw what I believe was a male Merlin flying about ten feet over the peak of my house.
  • Richard Jul 12, 2011 @ 7:04 pm | delete
    I see Vultures around,and Red-tailed hawks.The Merlin is my favorite bird.
  • KimGiancaterino Jun 11, 2011 @ 3:08 pm | delete
    We see red-tailed hawks every day. Wonderful lens, as always!
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Apr 29, 2011 @ 10:18 am | delete
    I'm pretty sure I saw a Merlin this morning (perched on my cabin roof). Only got a glimpse of the back and tail. Fits the description. Interesting lens. I love learning about all wild creatures. Thanks!
  • caffimages Apr 26, 2011 @ 6:00 am | delete
    Beautiful bird and very interesting lens. It's good to find out more about birds from other countries.
  • Ladie Hawk Apr 2, 2011 @ 9:36 am | delete
    A Merlin Falcon hit the side of our house a couple of days age. We gave him a beautiful burial. Hope his mate will be able to raise the little ones on her own. We have watched them flying together for a couple of weeks.
  • annmackiemiller Mar 1, 2011 @ 1:26 pm | delete
    I saw a Sparrow Hawk today - what an agile flight it has.
    Great lens, Angel Blessed and featured on my Wild Bird Len
  • JeanJohnson Feb 25, 2011 @ 1:38 pm | delete
    saw one today on the way home from the grocery store, amazing creatures!
  • CastleRoy Feb 22, 2011 @ 5:14 am | delete
    wonderful lens i have been really into bird watching these days this is beautiful bird thank you for sharing.
  • KDimmick Jan 23, 2011 @ 11:29 am | delete
    Great lens! I like Golden Eagles - see them a lot round here.
  • polly72 Jan 8, 2011 @ 2:53 pm | delete
    Great lens interseting birds
  • ChrisDay Dec 20, 2010 @ 12:08 pm | delete
    Fabulous lens about these lovely and very evocative birds.
  • Tipi Dec 16, 2010 @ 9:23 am | delete
    My favorite has always been the Bald Eagle. Isn't it odd how something just becomes a favorite without even thinking about it? "Small, but deadly" is a perfect description of the Merlin Falcon and you did it all beautifully once again! I've always been fascinated by falcons, probably because of seeing them in movies. Now I think it's a little sad to ever have them in captivity. Excellent!
  • Margo_Arrowsmith Nov 23, 2010 @ 4:42 pm | delete
    Amazing, beautiful birds, magnificent.
  • Kim Lopez Oct 24, 2010 @ 7:03 pm | delete
    I found an injured merlin falcon in a schoolyard in Northglenn Colorado On 10-24-2010. I took it to the raptor rehabilitation facility in Broomfield colorado immediately and it is being treated right now.
  • riff999 Oct 15, 2010 @ 1:07 am | delete
    An amazing animal. Thoroughly enjoyed the read. Kudos.
  • Sylvestermouse Sep 12, 2010 @ 8:09 am | delete
    What a gorgeous bird! While I do not like to watch birds of prey "hunt," I am always mystified by their grace and beauty. I love to watch them fly, actually soar in the heavens. Most Excellent!
  • Damian Aug 13, 2010 @ 11:53 pm | delete
    Merlons are common here In the prairie and the city too, around Calgary Alberta. And the do have quite a loud call. Pairs will call loudly to each especially near dusk. The call is a descending, staccato song, that is rather nice to listen to. But it is loud and can go o for quite awhile. So unlike your article, I think the birds are common to see, not afraid much of visitors hearby, and not at all quiet.
  • Deb Aug 3, 2010 @ 7:36 am | delete
    Hi Gregory,

    I actually feel bad about writing what I did because I'm an avid backyard bird watcher. We've had so many different birds pass through as well as the usual mourning doves, robins, juncos, hummingbirds etc. You're so right, they were fun when they first arrived but they've overstayed their welcome. I want my songbirds back.
  • Deb Aug 2, 2010 @ 7:19 am | delete
    At this point, I just wish the Merlins would leave. They have become extremely territorial and disruptively noisy. They just never shut up from 5 AM to dusk. I hope they don't return next year.
  • Gregory Aug 2, 2010 @ 7:21 pm | delete
    deb i here you we have three that live here and they are eating all our small birds and noisy like you said fun at first but hoppen they move on soon.
  • Chantal L. Jul 31, 2010 @ 11:16 am | delete
    We've got an injured Merlin, with a dislocated leg. We've got to rehab him for the night but what do we feed him?
  • Dave H Jul 24, 2010 @ 9:53 pm | delete
    I live in Seattle and have a large family of Merlin Falcons who have been here all spring. They are the only family in town from what I read. Very noisy, but they seemed to have chased the crows away, so that is a good trade off.
  • Deb Jul 10, 2010 @ 6:42 pm | delete
    A male and female Merlin decided to move into a tree in our backyard a few months ago and have been here ever since. There appears to be one baby or at least that's all we've been able to identify. They are a fascinating bird to observe although very noisy, but I mourn the loss of other songbirds from our backyard. Five years ago we had a pair of Peregrines take up residence out back - they came back the second year but never returned after that. I'd have to say that I prefer the Peregrines but only because they are so much more dramatic. They took great pleasure in swooping at me and my dog as we strolled through our woods. I live in Nova Scotia.
  • Greg May 25, 2010 @ 3:00 am | delete
    My favourite is my Merlin hawk which i found on the road yesterday night.....its a little baby which tried to learn flying....now he is my friend!!!!

    gregcy89@yahoo.gr
  • skiesgreen Apr 17, 2010 @ 3:52 am | delete
    Blessed and featured on Sprinkled with Stardust. Your lenses are so informative and so valuable and very much appreciated, Lizzy

    Norma
  • natureplanet Dec 19, 2009 @ 5:16 pm | delete
    excellent and comprehensive information.
  • skiesgreen Dec 14, 2009 @ 2:59 pm | delete
    Beautiful lens. Great to leanr so much about this wonderful bird. I have lens rolled it to Save Planet Earth and The Great Outdoors. I will also feature this on the first one.

    Norma
  • sittonbull Nov 22, 2009 @ 10:27 am | delete
    Interesting... I have most probably seen the MF in action as a smaller raptor, but until now did not know how to identify what it was.
  • aj2008 Oct 5, 2009 @ 4:39 am | delete
    The Merlin Falcon is just so beautiful and this is a beautiful lens Lizzie. SquidAngel Blessings for you.
  • TheGreenerMe Apr 21, 2009 @ 8:32 am | delete
    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!
  • susannaduffy Mar 5, 2009 @ 12:03 am | delete
    Yet another beautiful bird! I love your Nature lenses
  • mukunda22 Jan 16, 2009 @ 11:24 pm | delete
    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!!
  • tdove Jan 14, 2009 @ 6:56 pm | delete
    Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
  • AndyPo Jan 11, 2009 @ 11:32 am | delete
    Great lens and what a beautiful falcon.
  • AndyPo Jan 11, 2009 @ 11:32 am | delete
    Great lens and what a beautiful falcon.
  • JaguarJulie Oct 20, 2008 @ 7:13 pm | delete
    I find the name of 'merlin' an interesting one for a falcon. An attractive bird for sure!
  • JaguarJulie Oct 20, 2008 @ 7:13 pm | delete
    I find the name of 'merlin' an interesting one for a falcon. An attractive bird for sure!
  • cjnyman Oct 8, 2008 @ 5:28 pm | delete
    This page was most informative. A wonderful lens that I could use in the education system. Great work!
  • dc64 Oct 6, 2008 @ 10:11 am | delete
    I don't think I have a favorite bird of prey, but the falcon polaroid is beautiful!
  • Evelyn_Saenz Oct 5, 2008 @ 1:11 pm | delete
    Just flew over to check out your Falcons.
  • mulberry Oct 5, 2008 @ 7:00 am | delete
    Saw this on SquidPoint, I love your bird lenses, the photos alone are worth the visit!
  • OhMe Oct 4, 2008 @ 7:09 pm | delete
    My favorite would have to be the bald eagle. I am not sure if I have ever seen a Merlin Falcon but since they prey on mice, they are more than welcome here and also to the South Carolina Group.
  • Joan4 Oct 4, 2008 @ 6:22 pm | delete
    Another beautiful bird lens! You are such an education for me! Thank you!

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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.
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