Wildlifeof Nepal
Merlin
Birds of Prey
Photo: (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0
Falco columbarius
Basic stats
Diet
Small birds, from sparrow to dove size, and medium-sized shorebirds
Habitat
Breeds in the northern Holarctic; almost any habitat on migration
Range
Northern Hemisphere; some migrate to subtropical and northern tropical regions in winter
Clutch size
3–6 eggs, usually 4 or 5
Size
24–33cm; wingspan 50–73cm
Weight
Males about 165g; females about 230g
The merlin is a small falcon of the Northern Hemisphere with many subspecies in North America and Eurasia, 24–33 cm long with a wingspan of 50–73 cm. Males average about 165 g and females about 230 g. It is fairly distinct in size, shape and colouring among living falcons: the male has a blue-grey back ranging from almost black to silver-grey in different subspecies. It is a swift flier and skilled hunter that specialises in preying on small birds from sparrow to dove size and medium-sized shorebirds (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds in the northern Holarctic, and some birds migrate to subtropical and northern tropical regions in winter; on migration it uses almost any habitat. Three to six, usually four or five, eggs are laid; corvids are the primary threat to eggs and nestlings, and nestlings are covered in pale buff down (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Merlin eat?
- Small birds, from sparrow to dove size, and medium-sized shorebirds
- What habitat does the Merlin live in?
- Breeds in the northern Holarctic; almost any habitat on migration
- Where is the Merlin found?
- Northern Hemisphere; some migrate to subtropical and northern tropical regions in winter
- How many eggs does the Merlin lay?
- 3–6 eggs, usually 4 or 5
- How big is the Merlin?
- 24–33cm; wingspan 50–73cm
- How much does the Merlin weigh?
- Males about 165g; females about 230g