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March 29, 2024

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Friday, January 28, 2022

Bird of the Week – Merlin

Here’s another falcon, slightly smaller than last week’s Peregrine Falcon.

Merlin, Denali Highway

Merlin, Denali Highway

The Merlin is a remarkably fierce predator; WC has watched them kill and fly off with birds as large as a Lesser Yellowlegs. An adult female Merlin weighs  about 8.5 ounces; a Lesser Yellowlegs weighs about 3 ounces. That’s 40% of the Merlin’s weight.

Merlin with Lesser Yellowlegs, Delta Agricultural Project, Delta Junction

Merlin with Lesser Yellowlegs, Delta Agricultural Project, Delta Junction

Merlins seem to prefer open and semi-open areas, nesting on the edges of fields or swamps. Their primary prey is small (and not so small) birds. Alaska’s Merlins are all migratory; the winter from the Southwestern U.S. down to Central America. They breed across Alaska, but are uncommon; the most reliable nesting site to see Merlins is along the road in Denali National Park, part way up to Highway Pass.

For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.

 

Comments

comments

Comments
6 Responses to “Bird of the Week – Merlin”
  1. mike from iowa says:

    WC-what is that in the background of the Merlin and lunch? Looks like livestock or something.

  2. Zyxomma says:

    What a great photo.

  3. mlaiuppa says:

    That is quite a handsome bird.

  4. mike from iowa says:

    Rolls-Royce manufactured Merlins during WW2. One of the faster aircraft engines made at that time, i believe.

    America’s Merlins are much prettier and useful to Nature.