Merlin (Falco coloumbarius)

 

                                                                                                    Photos by Barry Wallace

A bird that I rarely get to see, the Merlin was formerly called the Pigeon Hawk.  Presumably, pigeons have always been one of its favourite birds to hunt.   It catches birds in flight, usually by a sudden burst of speed rather then by diving.   It spends its winters south of where I live in southern Ontario.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder