Merlin (Bird) || Description, Characteristics and Facts!

The merlin (Falco columbarius) is a small species of falcon from the Northern Hemisphere, with numerous subspecies throughout North America and Eurasia. A bird of prey once known colloquially as a pigeon hawk in North America, the merlin breeds in the northern Holarctic; some migrate to subtropical and northern tropical regions in winter. Males typically have wingspans of 53-58 centimetres (21-23 in), with females being slightly larger. They are swift fliers and skilled hunters who specialize in preying on small birds in the size range of sparrows to quail. The merlin has for centuries been well regarded as a falconry bird. In recent decades merlin populations in North America have been significantly increasing, with some merlins becoming so well adapted to city life that they forgo migration.
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Source from Wikipedia under WP:CC BY-SA license
#merlin #description #animals #wildanimals #nature #falcon

[@Jazna1]

Saw this pretty bird high up in a tree early this afternoon in NE Seattle near Nathan Hale High School. An hour of sun, some blue sky and the bare silver branches of the tree, the Merlin was all fluffed up against the chill -- beautiful.

[@_Chessa_]

Yes! This is definitely it, or maybe not. It’s This or a Kestrel above my house! :) I’m so happy! It’s such a beautiful looking raptor!

[@ellentipping1065]

Thanks. Succinct and packed with good info.

[@thatbadassowl8248]

That's cool, I actually seen these near my home and I was wanting to learn about them

[@qanon7170]

We have them in my backyard theres about 3 they make alot of squawks . i guess a baby fell out of a tree and was lethargic . we tookit to a conservation where they told us it was a merlin falcon

[@AlexHammered]

We had a family of merlins at our old house,their tree was blown over and all their chicks died (we buried them) the male got away but the female broke her wing and she died a day later

[@AnimalsDescriptions]

Sad..

[@brushwolf]

How Well You Know The Merlin?
Well enough to know the thumbnail contains an image of a European Kestrel and not a Merlin. Also, well enough to know falcons shown at 00:43, 2:10, 2:17, 3:10 and more than likely 1:30 (Perlin hybrid?) are not Merlins either.

[@AnimalsDescriptions]

Thank you for finding my mistakes, these are the results of my research on Merlin. Later I learned not to trust all sources but there are still mistakes.

[@brushwolf]

Honest mistake. Technical info is spot on! When researching go to falconry sources for accurate images, you can't go wrong when the info is from falconers. I don't have a lot of experience with longwings but over 20 years hunting with Redtails and Harris' hawks. However, I've ALWAYS wanted to fly a Merlin! LOVE THEM! That is how I came across your vid.

[@AnimalsDescriptions]

Thank you for the recommendation!

[@_Chessa_]

Yeah I noticed this too.. I’m like hey.. that ain’t no Merlin. Lol

[@FalconsLedge]

How well do you know the Merlin considering several of the birds you used in B roll were not merlins ;)

[@majidahamid8958]

👍

[@bardo677]

arnt the mid range between perregrin and Gos?

[@peregrinesmith1117]

Many of the falcons pictures are not merlins.

[@davemyers7507]

My Merlin is 160 grams male very fast in flight

[@mato8494]

3:12 thats a lanner falcon , not a Merlin ! 😊

[@Ivan-iq7ed]

Дербник называется по-русски.:)

[@megegg64]

Nice copy-paste from Wikipedia