Falcon - Merlin

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Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Pigeon Hawk Scientific Name: Falco columbarius

Basic Info

Because of its coloration, the Pigeon Hawk has been nicknamed the Little Blue Corporal! However, only the male Merlin Falcon has blue coloration on his back, and this may even be grayish. The female is mostly brown, as are young Merlin Falcons. These birds are small, measuring 25 to 30 centimeters with a wingspan of 50 to 65 centimeters. The wings are pointed and compact. As with all raptors, the female is larger than the male. The undersides of the Merlin Falcons are white, streaked with brown, and tails and wings are banded white and black. There are no facial markings.

Health

Merlin Falcons are a more difficult bird to keep in captivity, and should only be handled by experienced falconers. These long-wings must be measured each day with 1/8-ounce precision, as their quick metabolisms and active natures demand a monitored diet. They need more high protein food than most raptors, and should have mice and sparrows or even beef. Merlin Falcons may become neurotic and bite their own legs. Becoming tame quickly, the Merlin Falcon is nevertheless impatient and falconers experience difficulty with their wait-on time. Merlin Falcons are quickly trained, highly intelligent, and are most often used to chase larks in ringing flights, though sometimes they chase quail or partridge. Breeding Merlin Falcon migrate to a breeding area each year and begin to breed at one to two years of age. They mate for a single season and take over other birds' abandoned nests or simply make scrapes, where three to six eggs are laid. Usually one egg is laid every two days. Merlin Falcon eggs are colored from cream to rust with dark blotching, and are about one and a half inches in diameter. The female Merlin Falcon generally incubates her eggs for 25 to 32 days. The male Merlin Falcon aids in bringing food to the young, who will not acquire feathers until they are more than two weeks old. 25 to 30 days after hatching, the baby Merlin Falcons can fly. These young birds stay in the breeding area for several weeks before migrating southward, and Merlin Falcons have a great success rate in raising their young. Three survivors per nest is average.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

An extremely clever and ambitious bird, the Merlin Falcon may catch prey, which is as large as itself! Used in falconry since the Middle Ages, the Merlin Falcon is one of the loveliest and most interesting raptors. Though the Merlin Falcon has an extensive native range, these birds are not as common as other raptors, and unlike other raptors, they do not mate for life. Also called the Bullet Hawk or Pigeon Hawk, the Merlin Falcon has an unusual manner of hunting, which earned it that name. The Falcon will fly slowly at low altitudes or wait on a tree branch until it sees its prey, at which point it will slowly begin to fly after it. The quarry probably believes that the Merlin Falcon is a pigeon or other slow bird, and does not flee; when the Merlin Falcon is close, it suddenly darts in to snatch the unsuspecting prey. The prey is usually a small bird, starlings being a favorite food, but Merlins will also take very small mammals, lizards and invertebrates. A highly territorial bird, Merlin Falcons will challenge and harass other birds who attempt to near it, even other raptors who may be much larger than itself. The Merlin Falcon of North America frequently migrates during the winter to southwestern, warmer climates. There are four different subspecies of Merlin Falcon on that continent: the Bendire's Merlin, Richardson's Merlin, American Merlin, and Black Pigeon Hawk, differentiated by varying coloration and preferred migratory locale. Normally silent, the lovely Pigeon Hawk will emit a shrill, "ki-ki-ki" cry when alarmed or breeding. Each year, Merlin Falcons return to a general area, which is designated as the breeding area, but depart again, alone, after the breeding season is over. This beautiful bird has been used in falconry throughout the ages, and is still a great favorite because of its speed and tactics. However, falconers often find the lovely Merlin impatient and its bodyweight difficult to maintain and hybrids, which are easier to care for, have been developed. The agile, intelligent Merlin Falcon may live up to seven years in captivity.

Origin

EurAsia

History

The Merlin Falcon inhabits prairies, coastlines and forests throughout North America and Eurasia. The Merlin Falcon has been bred for falconry since the Middle Ages in Europe, where it was the only bird female austringers were allowed to fly, since it was considered "dainty". This is in fact where the name "Merlin" originated, as female falconers' birds in France were known as "émerillons". Today, Merlins are threatened by loss of habitat and by bad relations with poultry farmers, as they may steal small birds.

Common Foods

N/A