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All About Birds

All About Birds

Merlin

Overview
ID Info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Merlin Range Map

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Range Map
Sightings Map

Range Map for Merlin

Migration

Resident to long-distance migrant. Dark-form Merlins of the Northwest live there year-round or move short distances southward in winter. Most of the prairie Merlins move into the southern and central U.S. and northern Mexico, although some in urban areas remain there year-round. The taiga form migrates from far northern breeding grounds to the coastal and southern U.S. and as far south as Ecuador.

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Compare with Similar Species

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American Kestrel

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Sharp-shinned Hawk

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Species in This Family

Falcons and Caracaras(Order: Falconiformes, Family:Falconidae)

Crested Caracara

American Kestrel

Aplomado Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

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More to Read

Living Bird Magazine
Naturalist's Notebook: A Young Merlin on the Hunt
Living Bird Magazine
ID Tips for Raptor-Watching Season: Use Tail and Wing Shape
Living Bird Magazine
Raptors and Rat Poison

Project FeederWatch
Tricky Bird IDs
eBird
eBird: Help & FAQ
Feeding Birds: a Quick Guide to Seed Types

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