Merlin

Adult male Prairie Merlin (F.c. richardsonii) with Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) in its talons; taken near Pawnee National Grasslands, CO; Feb.

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A small falcon of northern forests and prairies, the Merlin is the least well-marked of the American falcons. It is becoming a regular breeder in urban areas.

Description

Small hawk. Long, pointed wings. Long, banded tail. Faint mustache mark. Brown streaking on chest and belly. Back unmarked gray or brown.

• Size: 24-30 cm (9-12 in)
• Wingspan: 53-68 cm (21-27 in)
• Weight: 160-240 g (5.65-8.47 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar, but male smaller and gray on back, female brown.

Sound

Call a high "kee, kee, kee."

Conservation Status

Expanding breeding range and may be increasing in numbers.

Other Names

Faucon émerillon (French)
Esmerejón (Spanish)
Pigeon Hawk (English)

Cool Facts

• The Merlin does not build a nest, but instead takes over old nests of other raptors or crows. It sometimes nests on top of domed magpie nests rather than in the nest cavity.

Sources used to construct this page:

Sodhi, N. S., L. W. Oliphant, P. C. James, and I. G. Warkentin. 1993. Merlin (Falco columbarius). In The Birds of North America, No. 44 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists? Union.