Merlin Falcon
Falco columbarius

 

 

 

Merula (alumni) formerly represented her species in the education raptor collection.

Interesting Facts:

• Pretends to fly slowly (not a threat) until close enough to small birds to surprise them
• Very long migration!

Physical Dimensions:

• wing span ~2 feet
• weight ~6 ounces (females slightly larger)

Prey

• songbirds

Hunting Techniques:

• Takes song birds in flight - pretends to fly slowly (not a threat) until close enough to surprise birds.

Range:

• North America and Central America
• Migrates from Canada to Western US and southern US in the fall
• Prefers open woodlands, prairie grasslands, cropfields, marshes, etc.

Color:

• Demonstrates sexual dimorphism (when males and females differ in coloring). Sexual dimorphism is unusual in raptors.
  • Males: gray on back
  • Females: brown on back

Reproduction:

• Does not build its own nest - takes over old nests of other raptors or crows
• 3-5 eggs

Conservation:

• Expanding its breeding range
• May be increasing in numbers