Merlin
(Genus, species: Falco columbarius)
The merlin is a fairly small
raptor
that used to be called the Pigeon Hawk. They look a bit like
pigeons when they're flying.
There are slightly different sub-species of
Merlin. The Tundra Merlin (for example) tends to be darker in
color than the Prairie Merlin. They are all considered the same
species, however.
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Distribution/Locations
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General:
The
Merlin is distributed widely throughout North America but is not
particularly common anywhere. This is mainly because they are
territorial birds who need large hunting areas to sustain themselves and
their offspring. |
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Description - male:
Merlins are small for a bird of prey, 10 to 13 inches long with a wingspan of 24 to
27 inches.
The breast and belly of the Merlin are buff (tan) with
dark brown streaks. The throat is white. The upperparts
(back, wings and tail), eyeline and
crown
of the Merlin are light blue-gray. The head of the Merlin is a
buff (tan) color) with fine dark streaks and a distinct tan
eyebrow. The tail is narrow and banded and the wings are
pointed. The legs and feet are yellow with black talons. The
beak is a blue-gray color with yellow toward the head. The eyes
are brown.
Description - female:
The coloring and size of the female Merlin is the same as the male, but instead
of blue-gray coloring on the back, wings, tail and crown, the female Merlin is
brown.
Description - young:
Immature Merlins look much like the females. When hatched, the
young are covered in down. They begin to get quill feathers after
14 days and all but the head is covered by feathers by the time
they are 18 days old. About three to four weeks after hatching,
the nestlings are ready for flight.
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female merlin |
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Feeding:
The Merlin's main prey (about 80% of their diet) is smaller birds
(finches, sparrows, waxwings, swallows, etc) which it catches in
flight. They also eat some large insects (like dragonflies), small
mammals, lizards and snakes.
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swallow
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Habitat:
Breeding occurs in forested or suburban areas. During other times
of the year, they prefer open areas and can be found in fields,
grasslands, marshlands, deserts, seashores and lakeshores.
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Nesting:
They mainly nest in trees, crevices or cliffs. They often reuse
the abandoned nests of other raptors, crows, jays or magpies lining the
borrowed nest with fresh vegetation.
The female typically lays a
clutch
of 4 to 6 eggs. The eggs are a creamy white color and are blotched with
chocolate, brown and purple markings. The eggs are not laid all at
once -- instead the female waits about 2 days between each.
Both parents incubate the eggs, which takes about one
month, though the female does most of the work.
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