Merlin and prey, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, Montana

Merlin Images, Facts and Information:

Falco columbarius

  • Merlins are small, stocky, powerfully built falcons with streaky chests, hooked bills, pointed wings and medium length tails with white bands.
  • Merlins were often used by Medieval noblewomen as falconry birds which gave them a common name of “lady hawks” and “pigeon hawks” even though they aren’t hawks but falcons.
  • Most Merlins are migratory but there are populations that are year round residents in the Pacific Northwest and a few western states.
  • Preferred habitat for Merlins include open and semi open areas of North America that usually have bogs, lakes and rivers as well as trees or shrubs. During migration they can be found in coastal areas, open forests and grasslands.
  • The diet of Merlins includes songbirds, shorebirds, small mammals and insects.
  • Merlins do not build their own nests, they take over nests of other birds. Merlins lay 2 to 7 eggs which hatch in 28 to 32 days. The female incubates and they are monogamous.
  • A group of merlins can be called a “leash”, “brace” and an “illusion” of Merlins.
  • Merlins can live 10 to 15 years.

I hope you enjoy viewing my Merlin photos.

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