Merlin
Adult male (Taiga)
Small, stocky falcon with a blocky head. Males are generally dark overall, but their color varies geographically. The Taiga subspecies is medium gray above with a pale mustache stripe and a thin white eyebrow.
© Tony Kurz | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 17, 2017Adult male (Prairie)
Stocky and powerful falcon. Adult males from the prairie states of the U.S. and Canada are pale gray above with a thin white eyebrow and no noticeable mustache stripe.
© Steven Mlodinow | Macaulay LibraryColorado, March 14, 2017Adult (Taiga)
Small but powerfully built falcon with compact body and long tail. Note heavy dark streaking on underparts and lack of a strong "mustache" mark on the face.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 30, 2007Not all videos have soundAdult (Black)
Individuals breeding in the Pacific Northwest are very dark overall, almost black with a pronounced mustache.
© Ryan Merrill | Macaulay LibraryWashington, July 24, 2017Female/immature (Taiga)
Females/immatures are brown overall, but color varies geographically. Birds breeding in the northern U.S. and Canada are medium brown above with a thin eyebrow and thick brown streaks below.
© Alix d'Entremont | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, August 07, 2012Adult with Killdeer
Mainly hunts birds, often shorebirds. Flight is fast and powerful. Note compact proportions with broad chest and broad-based, sharply pointed wings.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryOctober 01, 1997Not all videos have soundFemale/immature (Prairie)
Small, square-headed falcon. Females/immatures from the prairie states in the U.S. and Canada are pale brown with a thin eyebrow and pale brown streaks below.
© Joel Adams | Macaulay LibraryColorado, January 21, 2017Adult male (Taiga)
Stocky, compact falcon. Adults are heavily streaked below. Note square-tipped tail on perched birds.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 05, 2017Adult (Taiga)
Flies with stiff, powerful, and fast wingbeats. Note pointed wings and heavy streaking below.
© Joel Trick | Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, July 15, 2017Female/immature (Taiga)
Eats mostly birds, typically catching them in midair during high-speed attacks.
© Jonathan Eckerson | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 23, 2016Adult (Black)
Birds breeding in the Pacific Northwest are dark overall with dark heavy streaking below.
© Tom Johnson | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 02, 2009Habitat
Breeds in forested openings, edges, and along rivers across northern North America. During migration and winter, found in open forests, grasslands, and especially coastal areas with flocks of small songbirds or shorebirds.
© Scott Ramos | Macaulay LibraryWashington, August 04, 2017