Friday's Foto

Unlike the white bearded wizard (who’s name come from the Welsh “Myrddin”), the small powerful, feathered “Merlin” gets its name from the French word esmerillon, meaning falcon. With a wingspan only slightly longer than the American Kestrel, they are, however, a much heavier, more robust raptor.

Ranging globally though the Northern Hemisphere, 3-9 subspecies are recognized. Feeding primarily on small birds, they also will prey on bats and large insects, such as dragonflies.

A common breeding species across the northern forests of North America and Eurasia, they take over the nests of other birds, rather than build their own. Their populations have increased significantly since the 1960s due to bans in the use of the pesticide DDT. Most will migrate south in Winter with some North America birds going as far south as South America.

Previously called the “Pigeon Hawk” due to their resemblance to Rock Pigeons in flight, the scientific name Falco “columbarius” is an homage to the humble pigeon.

The IUCN Red List lists their conservation status as “Least Concern”.