Merlin Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
American Kestrel
Adult male (Northern)
American Kestrels are smaller, more slender, and paler than Merlins. They have a strong face pattern with two bold “mustache” stripes that Merlins lack.
© Ron Batie | Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 20, 2017Similar Species
American Kestrel
Female (Northern)
Female American Kestrels have bolder black markings on the face than Merlins. Females have barring on the back, unlike the solid brown back of Merlins.
© Howard Shapiro | Macaulay LibraryOntario, March 12, 2017Similar Species
American Kestrel
Adult male (Northern)
American Kestrels are much less heavily marked below than Merlins and they lack the Merlin's white tail bands.
© Jacob Drucker | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, September 06, 2016Similar Species
Prairie Falcon
Adult
Adult Prairie Falcons have cleaner underparts than Merlins. They also have a stronger mustache mark than Merlins.
© Caroline Lambert | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 06, 2016Similar Species
Prairie Falcon
Immature
Prairie Falcons can readily be separated from Merlins in flight by their dark “armpit” patches, visible on both immatures and adults.
© Ian Routley | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, October 12, 2012Similar Species
Peregrine Falcon
Adult
Peregrine Falcons are larger than Merlins with a bigger chest and broader wings than Merlins. They also have a hooded look and a stronger mustache.
© Ryan Schain | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 12, 2011Similar Species
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Adult (Northern)
Sharp-shinned Hawks have more rounded wings than the pointed wings of Merlins. The tail is also longer than the Merlin's tail.
© Matt Davis | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 26, 2017Main Species
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.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 18, 2012Adult 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.
© Andy Bankert | Macaulay LibraryColorado, November 11, 2018Adult (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 sound
Adult (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 sound
Female/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, 2017Female/immature (Taiga)
Flies with stiff, powerful, and fast wingbeats. Note pointed wings and heavy streaking below.
© Alex Lamoreaux | Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, September 18, 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.
© Joachim Bertrands | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, September 19, 2020Female/immature (Pallid)
© Andrey Kovalenko | Macaulay LibrarySoltüstik Qazaqstan oblysy, June 24, 2016Habitat
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, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Falcons and Caracaras(Order: Falconiformes, Family: Falconidae)
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