Merlin

Scientific name: Falco columbarius
Bird family: Falcons
UK conservation status: Red
Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Merlin call audio

Key information

The UK's smallest bird of prey, this compact, dashing falcon has a relatively long, square-cut tail and rather broad-based pointed wings, shorter than those of other falcons. Its wingbeat tends to be rapid with occasional glides, wings held close to the body.

In winter, the UK population increases as most of the Icelandic breeding birds migrate to our warmer climate. Although recovering from a population crash in the late 20th century, it is on the Red List. It is a Schedule 1 listed species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

What they eat:

Mainly small birds.

Measurements:

Length:: 25-30cm

Wingspan:: 50-62cm

Weight:: 125-234g (male); 164-300g (female)

Population:

UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

UK breeding:: 900-1,500 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Merlin (male)

Feather colour: Black Blue Brown Cream/buff Grey Orange White

Leg colour: Yellow

Beak: Black Medium length Hooked Chunky

Natural habitats: Farmland Grassland Marine and intertidal Upland Wetland

Merlin (female/juvenile)

Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff Grey White

Leg colour: Yellow

Beak: Black Medium length Hooked Chunky

Natural habitats: Farmland Grassland Marine and intertidal Upland Wetland

Similar birds:

Kestrel

Sparrowhawk

Where and when to see them

The UK breeding population is at the south-west extremity of the merlin's European range and is thinly scattered across upland moorland from south-west England north to Shetland. In winter, birds leave upland areas and come down to inland lowland and coastal areas. They can be seen in almost any open country but are often found near coasts. They can be found at roosts in reedbeds, bogs and on heaths, often with hen harriers.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Resident
Passage
Summer
Winter

You can see merlins all year round. Birds leave their upland breeding areas between August and October, when N European birds also arrive here. They return again in April and May. In summer, the RSPB reserves at Forsinard, Highland and Trumland (Orkney) have merlins. In winter, they are regularly seen at: Elmley Marshes, Kent; Northward Hill, Kent; Martin Mere, Lancs; Marshside, Merseyside; Pulborough Brooks, Sussex and Blacktoft Sands, Yorkshire.

Merlin

Merlin call audio