This small falcon appears darker and bulkier than the more common American Kestrel and its flight style is much more powerful and direct. Proportionally larger-headed and flatter-crowned than a kestrel. The single mustache mark is usually indistinct or lacking. Males are solid gray above and buffy below with darker streaks. The leg feathering usually has a rufous cast. Females are browner above and noticeably larger than males. All have dark tails with pale bands and a thin whitish terminal band. In flight, the wings are very broad at the base and show a finely checkered pattern below. Three races occur. On the most widespread, Taiga Merlin, males are slate gray; females are dark brown. The tail has three pale bands. Black Merlin males are charcoal gray; females are very dark brown. The tail has two bands which are usually partial or lacking. Prairie Merlin males are pale blue-gray, while the females are a warm brown. The tail has four pale bands.

Length: 28 (cm) Wingspan: 58 (cm)

Voice:

A rapid keeee-kee-kee-kee-kee-kee-kee, a little less strident than American Kestrel.

Habitat:

Open forest, coasts, grasslands, agricultural land, urban areas.

Behavior:

Aggressively attacks other raptors. When hunting, they will typically perch atop the tallest available tree as they survey the landscape for prey. Often follow flocks of Dunlin and other mid-sized shorebirds during migration.

Feeding:

Catches mostly small birds on the wing approaching very rapidly at a flat angle, sometimes just a few feet off the ground. May take prey as large as a pigeon.