Merlin

The Merlin is a small falcon.

Latin name: Falco columbarius

Length, wingspan: 10″, 24″

What they eat: Primarily birds, occasionally small mammals

Habitat: Woodlands adjoining open areas

Where they nest: In abandoned nests of other larger birds, sometimes tree cavities.

My observations: The Merlin is the second-smallest type of falcon, with the American Kestrel being the smallest. They are also known as a “pigeon hawk” because of its similar size. In March 2015, we were surprised to see this one sitting on a pole at the front corner of our yard. It was munching away on a small bird it had caught. The falcon even posed for several photos — as long as I kept at a safe distance, of course! The Merlin is beautifully marked, generally with dark plumage, although some types have lighter coloration. If you have a sharp eye, you’ll see Merlins sitting in the tops of conifers in city neighborhoods. They’ll be watching for small, unsuspecting birds. They actually nest in different areas of our city and are seen year-round in this region.

For more details about this bird, go to Cornell’s All About Birds website.

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