Photos by Michelle Herder
Yesterday in this space I wrote about Merlin photos taken by Michele Herder in Burlington Ontario. Today, I'd like to make particular remarks about this special raptor. Merlins are generally uncommon but are found across Canada, across the western and central United States and along the eastern U.S. coastline.
Birder legend Kenn Kaufman describes the Merlin as "a compact, dashing falcon, very fast and direct in flight". He further describes them as usually uncommon, seen as scattered singles, but sometimes seen in fair numbers, as along coastlines during migration, adding that in recent decades, they have become fairly common residents around some towns on northern prairies and nearby regions.
While generally uncommon, this bird is a powerful flyer and does not hover. It catches birds in flight. It is also mostly silent.
The Audubon Society says this bird, formerly known as the "Pigeon Hawk", is most abundant during migrations of shorebirds, sparrows, warblers, and other small birds on which it feeds, adding that this little, swift and aggressive falcon harasses larger hawks and gulls and as well as attacking intruders at its nest.
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