Hi Everyone:

The Merlin (Falco columbarius) also known as the Pigeon Hawk.  The Pigeon Hawk is best known as a migrant along our larger rivers and coastal marshes and dunes.  It is most abundant during the migrations of smaller birds, on which it feeds.  This little falcon is swift and aggressive, harassing larger hawks and gulls and attacking intruders at its nest.  As with other falcons, the female begins incubating as soon as the first egg is laid, so that the young hatch at intervals, when food is scarce, the larger young are fed first, the smaller ones sometimes die of starvation.  This seemingly heartless procedure insures that some young will be raised successfully even in hard times. 

Description:  A jay-sized falcon, stockier than the American Kestrel, 10 – 14 inches long with a wingspan of 23 inches with long tails boldly banded.  It lacks the facial stripes of most other falcons.  There is quite a difference in size between the male and the larger female, thus adult males may weigh 4.4-7.4 ounces and females 6.7-9.4 ounces this difference in size allows males and females to hunt different prey animals and decreases the territory size needed to feed a mated pair.

Voice:  Usually silent.  High, loud cackle also klee-klee-klee like an American Kestrel

Range:  Breeds from Alaska east through Mackenzie to New Foundland, and south to Wyoming, Montana and Northern New England (rarely).  Winters from British Columbia south to New Mexico, central Texas and Carolinas, casually north to southern Canada.  Also in Eurasia.

The photos above were taken this last February 19^th, 2023 around noon along Youngs Island Rd., Allamuchy, NJ as I was returning home.  These birds hold their ground and are easy to photo.  Reminded me when I encountered my first Merlin.  Not sure of the date, but, it was approaching sunset.  I noticed what I thought was a Kestrel atop a telephone pole.  Pulled my car into the farm lane and drove under the bird atop the pole.  I can remember thinking it unusual  that the bird had not taken off yet, because usually Kestrels get skittish and fly as you approach.  Decided to exit the car and take a photo looking up, figuring there would be no photo, once I get out of the car!!  Well, I got out, looked up AND there was this bird looking right back down at me!!!  I knew then, this is no Kestrel!!  This bird never left the top of the pole!!  I knew then, all these stories about a little bird with a BIG ATTITUDE were true!!

Please visit my Flickr site for more photos and info on the Merlin – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157647943073704

Hope you enjoyed meeting the Merlin.

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space       

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman

Allamuchy Historical Society – President