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'''Alternative name: Pigeon Hawk''' | '''Alternative name: Pigeon Hawk''' | ||
| + | [[Image:Merlin2.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Skean|Skean}}<br>Photographed: Salisbury Ma. [[USA]] ]] | ||
;[[:Category:Falco|Falco]] columbarius | ;[[:Category:Falco|Falco]] columbarius | ||
| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Smallish falcon. Approximately 10-13 inches in length. | Smallish falcon. Approximately 10-13 inches in length. | ||
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Gunmetal-blue above, with streaked underparts | Gunmetal-blue above, with streaked underparts | ||
====Female & Immature==== | ====Female & Immature==== | ||
| + | [[Image:Juv fem Merl IMG 0902ccoo.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />The bold markings on the wings and tail showing it to be a juvenile female<br />Zinc Works Road, Seaton Carew]] | ||
Brownish, as is juvenile. | Brownish, as is juvenile. | ||
====Specific populations==== | ====Specific populations==== | ||
Pacific Coast "Black" or "Suckley's" Merlins are very dark, while the "Richardson's" prairie Merlin is noticeably paler than the other subspecies. | Pacific Coast "Black" or "Suckley's" Merlins are very dark, while the "Richardson's" prairie Merlin is noticeably paler than the other subspecies. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Generally breeds in the northern hemisphere, with some populations almost resident while others migrate south in winter | + | Generally breeds in the northern hemisphere, with some populations almost resident while others migrate south in winter |
| + | |||
| + | From [[North America]] there is migration to the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]], and northern [[South America]], while [[Europe]]an birds migrate to southern Europe and [[Africa]] north of Sahara. Also occur in northern [[Asia]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Eight races are usually recognised: ''columbarius'', the Taiga Merlin, in Alaska and northern Canada, ''suckleyi'' from British Columbia to northern California and ''richardsonii'' in the Great Plains. The large and dark ''F.c.subaesalon'' breeds in Iceland and the Faroes and winters in the British Isles, rarely on European coasts from Norway to France, ''aesalon'' breeds from Europe to western Siberia and the paler ''insignis'' breeds in eastern Siberia and winters in Japan and China. Another pale race ''pallidus'' breeds in west-central Asia, ''lymani'' in the eastern Altai, Tien Shan and western China. | + | Eight races are usually recognised: ''columbarius'', the Taiga Merlin, in [[Alaska]] and northern [[Canada]], ''suckleyi'' from [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]] and ''richardsonii'' in the [[Great Plains]]. |
| + | |||
| + | The large and dark ''F.c.subaesalon'' breeds in [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]] and winters in the [[British Isles]], rarely on [[Europe|European]] coasts from [[Norway]] to [[France]], ''aesalon'' breeds from [[Europe]] to western [[Siberia]] and the paler ''insignis'' breeds in eastern [[Siberia]] and winters in [[Japan]] and [[China]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another pale race ''pallidus'' breeds in west-central [[Asia]], ''lymani'' in the eastern [[Altai]], Tien Shan and western [[China]]. | ||
There have been proposals to split the North American group from the European group, as they have more than 2% sequence divergence. | There have been proposals to split the North American group from the European group, as they have more than 2% sequence divergence. | ||
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Moorland and heaths, tundra and boreal forest-edge. | Moorland and heaths, tundra and boreal forest-edge. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Especially the American Merlins are known for their aggressive behavior, even during migration going out of their way to mob larger birds of prey. | ||
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
The most important food is small birds which are generally caught in flight. | The most important food is small birds which are generally caught in flight. | ||
| − | + | ====Vocalisation==== | |
| − | |||
| − | ==== | ||
<flashmp3>Falco columbarius (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Falco columbarius (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
''[[Media:Falco columbarius (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Falco columbarius (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
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==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
Wink et al. Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). ''In'': Chancellor et al. (eds.): Holarctic Birds of Prey: 29-48. http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1998/31.%201998.pdf | Wink et al. Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). ''In'': Chancellor et al. (eds.): Holarctic Birds of Prey: 29-48. http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1998/31.%201998.pdf | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Falco]] | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Falco]][[Category:Bird Songs]] |
Revision as of 17:59, 19 March 2009
Alternative name: Pigeon Hawk
- Falco columbarius
Identification
Smallish falcon. Approximately 10-13 inches in length. Pointed wings, less distinguishable facial stripe than most falcons, just a slightly darker slash.
Male
Gunmetal-blue above, with streaked underparts
Female & Immature
The bold markings on the wings and tail showing it to be a juvenile female
Zinc Works Road, Seaton Carew
Brownish, as is juvenile.
Specific populations
Pacific Coast "Black" or "Suckley's" Merlins are very dark, while the "Richardson's" prairie Merlin is noticeably paler than the other subspecies.
Distribution
Generally breeds in the northern hemisphere, with some populations almost resident while others migrate south in winter
From North America there is migration to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America, while European birds migrate to southern Europe and Africa north of Sahara. Also occur in northern Asia.
Taxonomy
Eight races are usually recognised: columbarius, the Taiga Merlin, in Alaska and northern Canada, suckleyi from British Columbia to northern California and richardsonii in the Great Plains.
The large and dark F.c.subaesalon breeds in Iceland and the Faroes and winters in the British Isles, rarely on European coasts from Norway to France, aesalon breeds from Europe to western Siberia and the paler insignis breeds in eastern Siberia and winters in Japan and China.
Another pale race pallidus breeds in west-central Asia, lymani in the eastern Altai, Tien Shan and western China.
There have been proposals to split the North American group from the European group, as they have more than 2% sequence divergence.
Habitat
Moorland and heaths, tundra and boreal forest-edge.
Behaviour
Especially the American Merlins are known for their aggressive behavior, even during migration going out of their way to mob larger birds of prey.
Diet
The most important food is small birds which are generally caught in flight.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Falco columbarius (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
External Links
Reference
Wink et al. Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). In: Chancellor et al. (eds.): Holarctic Birds of Prey: 29-48. http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1998/31.%201998.pdf
