Birds of Prey
Merlin
Merlins
(Falco columbarius)
are aerial hunters of open country and are also known as pigeon hawks.
They often fly low to the ground flushing out small birds and have
adapted their pursuit strategies to counter the escape patterns of their prey.
They are migratory to the NWT, returning in the summer and wintering in
Central and South America.
They
are smaller size (25-34 cm tall) and a narrow whitish line over the eye
distinguish them from peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons. The plumage of the tiercel is blue-grey in contrast to the dark brown of
the female.
Females
may choose a variety of sites to lay their eggs including cliff ledges,
abandoned bird nests or on the ground amongst shrubbery.
Usually four to five eggs are laid and incubated by the female in June. The young fledge about 28 days after hatching.
Like
other raptors affected by the pesticide DDT, the merlin has recovered and is now
probably as numerous as it has ever been.
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