Falcons (Falconidae)
Merlin
Falco columbarius. Small birds and dragonflies, caught in fast level chases.
Falcons (Falconidae)MerlinFalco columbarius
- Scientific name
- Falco columbarius
- Length
- 9.4–11.8 in
- Weight
- 4.9–8.5 oz
- Nest
- Reuses old crow or magpie nests in conifers
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 28–32 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Compact, dark falcon with heavy streaking
- Faint face pattern (no strong moustache)
- Powerful, direct flight low to the ground
Voice
A rapid, shrill 'ki-ki-ki-ki'.
Diet and feeding
Small birds and dragonflies, caught in fast level chases.
Merlins by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Arizona | Winter visitor | — |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| California | Winter visitor | — |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Connecticut | Winter visitor | — |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Winter visitor | — |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Nebraska | Winter visitor | — |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Brunswick | Summer breeder | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Winter visitor | — |
| New Jersey | Winter visitor | — |
| New Mexico | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Winter visitor | — |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Summer breeder | June–July |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| North Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nunavut | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Oregon | Winter visitor | — |
| Pennsylvania | Winter visitor | — |
| Prince Edward Island | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Quebec | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Winter visitor | — |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | June–July |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Vermont | Winter visitor | — |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Winter visitor | — |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Yukon | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do merlins eat?
Small birds and dragonflies, caught in fast level chases. At feeders: none — it hunts the birds your feeders attract.
How big is a Merlin?
9.4–11.8 in long and 4.9–8.5 oz.
Do merlins use birdhouses?
No. Reuses old crow or magpie nests in conifers.
Sources
- Merlin — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Merlin life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Merlin — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.