Merlin
Falco columbarius
eBird describes the Merlin like this: Small and fierce falcon. Dark above and paler below, with streaking on the underparts; darkness of plumage varies geographically. Feeds mainly on birds captured in flight. Found in a variety of habitats from grasslands, open forests, and especially coastal areas with shorebirds. In flight, note powerful flight, pointed wings, and quick, continuous wingbeats. All About Birds adds this descriptive information about the Merlin: Merlins are small, fierce falcons that use surprise attacks to bring down small songbirds and shorebirds. They are powerful fliers, but you can tell them from larger falcons by their rapid wingbeats and overall dark tones. Medieval falconers called them “lady hawks,” and noblewomen used them to hunt Sky Larks. Merlin populations have largely recovered from twentieth-century declines, thanks to a ban on the pesticide DDT and their ability to adapt to life around towns and cities.
I encountered my first Merlin on April 19, 2021, as I was leaving High Island after spending the afternoon birding at Boy Scout Woods. On the way out of town I decided to stop at the Roadside Area on the left as you are traveling north (eBird calls it High Island Historical Park). I immediately spotted what I thought was a hawk perched high on a dead tree. I took several pictures and when I examined them at home I realized I had been watching a Merlin! A great way to end my day!
“Cool Facts” About The Merlin From All About Birds:
- Merlin pairs have been seen teaming up to hunt large flocks of waxwings: one Merlin flushes the flock by attacking from below; the other comes in moments later to take advantage of the confusion.
- Merlins don’t build their own nests. Instead, they take over the old nests of other raptors or crows. They also use magpie nests, sometimes laying eggs right on top of the nest’s dome rather than inside the cavity.
- Though it’s not much bigger than the more common American Kestrel, the Merlin is heavier and often appears considerably larger. As with most raptors, female Merlins are larger than males.
- The name “Merlin” comes from esmerillon, the old French name for the species. Merlins used to be called “pigeon hawks” because in flight they look somewhat pigeon-like. Their species name, columbarius, is also a reference to pigeons.
- Medieval European noblewomen—including Catherine the Great and Mary Queen of Scots—used Merlins for sport to hunt Skylarks. European and North American falconers continue to work with Merlins, hunting quarry that ranges from sparrow-sized to dove-sized.
- The oldest known Merlin was a male and at least 11 years, 11 months old. He was banded as an adult in New York in 1982 and recovered in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1993.