Class Aves
Order Falcons
Family Falcons
Genus Falco

Credit: Bob Kelly

North American field guide

Merlin

Falco columbarius

Also known as:Pigeon Hawk

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

25-36 cm (10-14") Uncommon and widespread. Open coniferous forests, wooded prairies, urban areas; in migration, open country, marshes.

Small dark falcon - pigeon size. Indistinct sideburns; strongly streaked below; long, pointed wings; boldly banded tail.

Male: blue-gray to slaty above; gray and black tail bands.

Female and Immature: dusky brown above; buff tail bands.

In flight; does not hover.

Catches birds in the air.

Song: series of sharp "biks".

Details in the field

Photo gallery

8 photos

Credit: James Bass

Credit: Len Blumin

Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts, US - November 15, 2010

Credit: nebirdsplus

Credit: Len Blumin

Morning flight - Jamestown, RI - October 2012

Credit: Bill Thompson / USFWS

Male Merlin eating its kill on a fence post near Cochrane, Alberta.

Credit: Darryl

Credit: Sage

Credit: HarmonyonPlanetEarth

Watch and learn

Videos

3 videos

Female Merlin

Credit: Larry Bond

Merlin falcon eating a bird legs and all. Harlingen Texas 2012-02-01.

Credit: Tavo

Merlin Falcon

Credit: Edward

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 3 variants 5 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Merlin

1 rule

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 4

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Pointed · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the TAIL ?: Square or slightly notched at the end · Rounded at the end · Unknown
What colour was the TAIL ?: Blue · Brown, brownish red, cinnamon · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:380-merlin:1:1 Source: 380 Merlin, row 1

Merlin (Female)

2 rules

Rule 1 9 criteria confidence 4

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band at the tip · Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:380-merlin:3:1 Source: 380 Merlin, row 3

Rule 2 9 criteria confidence 4

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band at the tip · Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:380-merlin:4:1 Source: 380 Merlin, row 4

Merlin (Male)

2 rules

Rule 1 9 criteria confidence 4

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band at the tip · Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:380-merlin:2:1 Source: 380 Merlin, row 2

Rule 2 9 criteria confidence 4

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band at the tip · Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Robin-sized · Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like

result:380-merlin:4:2 Source: 380 Merlin, row 4