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Merlin Photo by Don Baccus
Falco columbarius

Hear the merlin's call

AKA: Pigeon hawk, chocolate falcon (female)

SIZE: 10 to 13 inches

WINGSPAN: 23 to 26 inches

FLIGHT SPEED: 30 to 45 MPH

FEEDING HABITS: Will hunt from perch or by flying low over ground. Usually doesn't dive at prey, preferring to simply overtake it in steady flight. Eats many different kinds of birds. Will also take squirrels, mice and other mammals, snakes, lizards, insects, caterpillars, spiders and crayfish.

IDENTIFICATION: Male is blue-grey above and its underside is streaked with brown or black. Tail is barred with a white tip. Female is brown with underparts streaked with brown