Species BirdsMerlin

Merlin

Falco columbarius

UncommonBird
Illustration of Merlin (Falco columbarius)

The Merlin is a compact, dashing falcon with the fast, direct wingbeats and bold hunting style of a miniature Peregrine. It specializes in chasing and catching small songbirds and shorebirds in level pursuit. It has colonized many Canadian prairie cities, nesting in spruce trees in neighborhoods — a remarkable adaptation to urban life.

Habitat
Boreal forests in summer; open country and coastal areas in winter
Diet
Small birds, large insects, and dragonflies
How common
Uncommon

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