Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Identification & Behavior: ~27 cm (10.6 in). The male Merlin has a dusky head and grayish blue rest of the upperparts. The underparts are light brown with brown streaks. The female has a dusky brown back and brownish head with the underparts similar to that of the male.  Both sexes have a pale supercilium and a dusky mustache. The tail has pale and gray bars. It is a miniature version of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon. Also, see American Kestrel.

Status: The Merlin is a rare Boreal Migrant reported in Peru during the months of October through March. It appears to be largely restricted to northwestern Peru, but there are a few records further south. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Br.

Name in Spanish: Halcón Esmerejón.

Sub-species: Merlin (Falco columbarius columbarius), Linnaeus 1758.

Meaning of Name: Falco: Gr. phalkön= falcon. columbarius: L. columbarius, columba = concerning the Columbidae, pigeons.

See more of the Family Falconidae