Bird
Bird
Merlin
Falco columbarius
The Merlin is a small, fast-flying falcon that visits Trinidad during the northern winter, having bred far to the north in Canada and the northern United States.
The Merlin is a small, fast-flying falcon that visits Trinidad during the northern winter, having bred far to the north in Canada and the northern United States. It does not breed in Trinidad, hunting small birds in fast, low pursuits during its non-breeding stay.
Identification
A small, compact falcon around 24 to 30 cm long, with dark slate-grey to brown upperparts, heavily streaked underparts, and a faintly banded tail. It lacks the strong facial markings of the larger Peregrine Falcon, appearing plainer-faced, and its flight is extremely fast and direct with rapid wingbeats.
Migration
A non-breeding migrant present in Trinidad roughly from October to April, having bred across the boreal forest and open country of Canada and the northern United States. It winters from the southern United States through Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America, and is absent from Trinidad outside this non-breeding season.
Status in T&T
A generally uncommon non-breeding visitor to open country, savanna, and wetland edges in Trinidad during the winter months, hunting small birds in fast pursuit flight. Not threatened, and it is protected as a migratory species under the Conservation of Wildlife Act.
