Merlin Falcon - Falco columbarius
Small falcon, present in North America and Eurasia, praying mostly on other small birds. It is a migratory species spending winter in the southern North America or Central America.
Common Names
- Merlin Falcon (en)
- Esmerejón (es)
- Faucon émerillon (fr)
- Merlin (de)
How to Identify
Looks very similar to Peregrine Falcon. Distinguished characteristics are the beak proportions, color of breast feathers and eyebrows.
Where & When to Spot
My only observation of this species happened early December within the streets of Montreal, sitting on a tree, eating prey.
Merlin Falcon
A rare opportunity being able to watch this species eating its catch just outside my apartment.
champ-des-possibles - December 07, 2020
NIKON Z 6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S; Focal Length 200mm; Exposure 1/1600; Aperture f/2.8; Iso 560;
khm-20201207-1517-0000104660