Difference between revisions of "Merlin" - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 12:42, 15 June 2015

Female F. c. columbarius
Photo by Skean
Salisbury, Massachusetts, USA

Falco columbarius

Aesalon columbarius

Identification

Length 24-33 cm, wingspan 50-67 cm, weight 150-210 g (male), 190-255 g (female) A smallish falcon with pointed wings and relatively short tail, and a less distinct facial 'moustache' bar than most falcons, just a slightly darker slash. Sexes differ in size, male smaller than female; male blue-grey to blackish above, with underparts buff to orangey, streaked darker; female brown, more heavily streaked below; juvenile and immature similar to female. See also Subspecies, below, for variation between specific populations.

Distribution

Male F. c. aesalon
Photo by jtwood
East Lothian Scotland

Breeds widely across the northern hemisphere, with some populations almost resident while others migrate south in winter.

In North America breeds over most of Alaska and Canada south of the tree-line and in the north-west and north-central USA. Winters from south-west Canada, the western and southern USA south through Mexico to Panama, in the West Indies and the northern coast of South America. Migrates south to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America; vagrant south to Bahia, Brazil.

In Europe breeds in Iceland and the Faroes, throughout northern Scandinavia, sporadically in the Baltic States and widespread across northern Russia. Also very patchily in the uplands of the north and west British Isles although now extremely rare in south-west England. Dispersive in south-west Iceland and the British Isles, but elsewhere a summer visitor, with mainland European birds migrating to coastal Britain, Denmark and southern Sweden south to the Mediterranean, and on some of the larger islands and in North Africa north of Sahara. Recorded as a vagrant north to Svalbard and south to Madeira and the Canary Islands.

In northern Asia occurs from the Urals east to the Pacific coast of Russia and Sakhalin and ranges south to the Tien Shan Mountains in Central Asia. Winters from the Middle East to the Himalayas, northern Indochina, China and Japan. A vagrant to Oman and Yemen.

Autumn movements take place mainly in September-October with the spring return in April-May.

The bold markings on the wings and tail showing it to be a juvenile female
Photo by IanF
Zinc Works Road, Seaton Carew, NE England

Taxonomy

Subspecies

Eight or nine subspecies are usually recognised^[1]:

North America
- F. c. columbarius ("Taiga Merlin") breeds in Alaska and northern Canada, winters south across USA and Mexico. Medium tones.
- F. c. suckleyi ("Black Merlin") from British Columbia to northern California; resident or short-distance migrant. Very dark, to nearly black.
- F. c. richardsonii ("Richardson's Merlin") in the Great Plains; formerly migrated to the Gulf Coast region, but increasingly resident in Great Plains cities, hunting at bird feeders. Pale.
Europe & Asia
- F. c. subaesalon breeds in Iceland and the Faroes and winters in the British Isles, rarely on European coasts from Norway to France; large and dark.
- F. c. aesalon breeds from Europe to northwestern Siberia, winters southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Medium tones.
- F. c. insignis breeds in north-central Siberia and winters in China. Medium tones.
- F. c. pacificus breeds in northeast Siberia and winters in Japan. Medium tones. Some authors consider it synonymous with F. c. insignis.
- F. c. pallidus breeds in steppes of west-central Asia, winters south to India. Palest subspecies.
- F. c. lymani in the mountains of central Asia (eastern Altai, Tien Shan and western China); wintering area not reported. Medium tones.

There have been proposals to split the North American group from the European group, as they have more than 2% sequence divergence^[2], though more recent data places them close, with no suggestion of paraphyly in the species with respect to any other falcons^[3].

Habitat

Breeds on moorland and heaths, tundra and boreal forest-edge. In winter on coastal farmland, marshes and other open habitats.

Behaviour

Hunts over open grassland, moors, coasts and mudflats; will also hunt out to sea to catch tired migrating birds. American Merlins are known for their aggressive behavior, even during migration going out of their way to mob larger birds of prey.

Diet

The most important food is small birds (primarily passerines and small waders) which are generally caught in flight.

Vocalisation

<flashmp3>Falco columbarius (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

References

Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2015. IOC World Bird Names (version 5.2). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
Wink, M., et al. (1998). Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). In: Chancellor et al. (eds.): Holarctic Birds of Prey: 29-48.
Fuchs, J., Johnson, J. A., & Mindell, D. P. (2015). Rapid diversification of falcons (Aves: Falconidae) due to expansion of open habitats in the Late Miocene. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 82: 166–182.

List of references

Recommended Citation

BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Merlin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Merlin

External Links

Search for photos of Merlin in the gallery

Search for videos of Merlin on BirdForum TV

Retrieved from ‘https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/index.php?title=Merlin&oldid=208739’

Categories:

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Alternative name: Pigeon Hawk'''
+[[Image:Merlin2.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Female ''F. c. columbarius''<br />Photo by {{user|Skean|Skean}}<br />Salisbury, [[Massachusetts]], [[USA]]]]
-[[Image:Merlinc.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|jtwood|jtwood}}<br />Male <br />East Lothian [[Scotland]]]]
+;[[:Category:Falco|Falco]] columbarius <br />
-;[[:Category:Falco|Falco]] columbarius
+''Aesalon columbarius''
 ==Identification==
-Smallish falcon. Approximately 10-13 inches in length.
+Length 24-33 cm, wingspan 50-67 cm, weight 150-210 g (male), 190-255 g (female)
-Pointed wings, less distinguishable facial stripe than most falcons, just a slightly darker slash.
+A smallish falcon with pointed wings and relatively short tail, and a less distinct facial 'moustache' bar than most falcons, just a slightly darker slash. Sexes differ in size, male smaller than female; '''male''' blue-grey to blackish above, with underparts buff to orangey, streaked darker; '''female''' brown, more heavily streaked below; '''juvenile''' and '''immature''' similar to female. See also Subspecies, below, for variation between specific populations.
-====Male====
-Gunmetal-blue above, with streaked underparts
-====Female & Immature====
+==Distribution==
-Brownish, as is juvenile.
+[[Image:Merlinc.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Male ''F. c. aesalon''<br />Photo by {{user|jtwood|jtwood}}<br />East Lothian [[Scotland]]]]
+Breeds widely across the northern hemisphere, with some populations almost resident while others migrate south in winter.
-[[Image:Merlin2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female <br />Photo by {{user|Skean|Skean}}<br />Salisbury, [[Massachusetts]], [[USA]]]]
+In [[North America]] breeds over most of [[Alaska]] and [[Canada]] south of the tree-line and in the north-west and north-central [[USA]]. Winters from south-west Canada, the western and southern USA south through [[Mexico]] to [[Panama]], in the [[West Indies]] and the northern coast of [[South America]]. Migrates south to the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]], and northern [[South America]]; vagrant south to Bahia, [[Brazil]].
-====Specific populations====
-Pacific Coast "Black" or "Suckley's" Merlins are very dark, while the "Richardson's" prairie Merlin is noticeably paler than the other subspecies.
-==Distribution==
-Generally breeds in the northern hemisphere, with some populations almost resident while others migrate south in winter
-From [[North America]] there is migration to the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]], and northern [[South America]], while [[Europe]]an birds migrate to southern Europe and [[Africa]] north of Sahara. Also occurs in northern [[Asia]].
+In [[Europe]] breeds in [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]], throughout northern [[Scandinavia]], sporadically in the [[Baltic States]] and widespread across northern [[Russia]]. Also very patchily in the uplands of the north and west [[British Isles]] although now extremely rare in south-west [[England]]. Dispersive in south-west Iceland and the British Isles, but elsewhere a summer visitor, with mainland European birds migrating to coastal [[Britain]], [[Denmark]] and southern [[Sweden]] south to the Mediterranean, and on some of the larger islands and in North [[Africa]] north of Sahara. Recorded as a vagrant north to [[Svalbard]] and south to [[Madeira]] and the [[Canary Islands]].
-Breeds over most of [[Alaska]] and [[Canada]] south of the tree-line and in the north-west and north-central [[USA]]. Winters from south-west Canada, the western and southern USA south through [[Mexico]] to [[Panama]], in the [[West Indies]] and the northern coast of [[South America]]. Vagrant south to Bahia, [[Brazil]].
+In northern [[Asia]] occurs from the Urals east to the Pacific coast of [[Russia]] and Sakhalin and ranges south to the Tien Shan Mountains in Central Asia. Winters from the [[Middle East]] to the [[Himalayas]], northern [[Indochina]], [[China]] and [[Japan]]. A vagrant to [[Oman]] and [[Yemen]].
-In [[Europe]] breeds in [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]], throughout northern [[Scandinavia]], sporadically in the [[Baltic States]] and widespread across northern [[Russia]]. Also very patchily in the uplands of the north and west [[British Isles]] although now extremely rare in south-west [[England]]. Dispersive in south-west Iceland and the British Isles, but elsewhere a summer visitor. Autumn movements take place mainly in September-October with the spring return in April-May. Winters in coastal [[Britain]], [[Denmark]] and southern [[Sweden]] south to the Mediterranean, on some of the larger islands and in North [[Africa]]. Recorded as a vagrant north to [[Svalbard]] and south to [[Madeira]] and the [[Canary Islands]].
+Autumn movements take place mainly in September-October with the spring return in April-May.
 [[Image:Juv fem Merl IMG 0902ccoo.JPG|thumb|350px|right|The bold markings on the wings and tail showing it to be a juvenile female<br />Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />Zinc Works Road, Seaton Carew, NE [[England]]]]
-Occurs across northern [[Asia]] from the Urals east to the Pacific coast of [[Russia]] and Sakhalin and ranges south to the Tien Shan Mountains in Central Asia. Winters from the [[Middle East]] to the [[Himalayas]], northern [[Indochina]], [[China]] and [[Japan]]. A vagrant to [[Oman]] and [[Yemen]].
 ==Taxonomy==
-Eight races are usually recognised:
+====Subspecies====
+Eight or nine subspecies are usually recognised<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
+*North America
+**''F. c. columbarius'' ("Taiga Merlin") breeds in [[Alaska]] and northern [[Canada]], winters south across [[USA]] and [[Mexico]]. Medium tones.
+**''F. c. suckleyi'' ("Black Merlin") from [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]]; resident or short-distance migrant. Very dark, to nearly black.
+**''F. c. richardsonii'' ("Richardson's Merlin") in the [[Great Plains]]; formerly migrated to the Gulf Coast region, but increasingly resident in Great Plains cities, hunting at bird feeders. Pale.
+*Europe & Asia
+**''F. c. subaesalon'' breeds in [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]] and winters in the [[British Isles]], rarely on [[Europe|European]] coasts from [[Norway]] to [[France]]; large and dark.
+**''F. c. aesalon'' breeds from [[Europe]] to northwestern [[Siberia]], winters southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Medium tones.
+**''F. c. insignis'' breeds in north-central [[Siberia]] and winters in [[China]]. Medium tones.
+**''F. c. pacificus'' breeds in northeast [[Siberia]] and winters in [[Japan]]. Medium tones. Some authors consider it synonymous with ''F. c. insignis''.
+**''F. c. pallidus'' breeds in steppes of west-central [[Asia]], winters south to [[India]]. Palest subspecies.
+**''F. c. lymani'' in the mountains of central Asia (eastern [[Altai]], Tien Shan and western [[China]]); wintering area not reported. Medium tones.
-''columbarius'', the Taiga Merlin, in [[Alaska]] and northern [[Canada]]<br />
+There have been proposals to split the North American group from the European group, as they have more than 2% sequence divergence<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>, though more recent data places them close, with no suggestion of paraphyly in the species with respect to any other falcons<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>.
-''suckleyi'' from [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]]<br />
-''richardsonii'' in the [[Great Plains]].
-The large and dark ''F.c.subaesalon'' breeds in [[Iceland]] and the [[Faroes]] and winters in the [[British Isles]], rarely on [[Europe|European]] coasts from [[Norway]] to [[France]]<br />
-''aesalon'' breeds from [[Europe]] to western [[Siberia]]<br />
-the paler ''insignis'' breeds in eastern [[Siberia]] and winters in [[Japan]] and [[China]].
-Another pale race ''pallidus'' breeds in west-central [[Asia]]<br />
-''lymani'' in the eastern [[Altai]], Tien Shan and western [[China]].
-There have been proposals to split the North American group from the European group, as they have more than 2% sequence divergence.
 ==Habitat==
 Breeds on moorland and heaths, tundra and boreal forest-edge. In winter on coastal farmland, marshes and other open habitats.
 ==Behaviour==
-Especially the American Merlins are known for their aggressive behavior, even during migration going out of their way to mob larger birds of prey.
+Hunts over open grassland, moors, coasts and mudflats; will also hunt out to sea to catch tired migrating birds. American Merlins are known for their aggressive behavior, even during migration going out of their way to mob larger birds of prey.
 ====Diet====
-The most important food is small birds which are generally caught in flight.
+The most important food is small birds (primarily passerines and small waders) which are generally caught in flight.
 ====Vocalisation====
 <flashmp3>Falco columbarius (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
 ''[[Media:Falco columbarius (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 ==References==
-Wink et al. Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). ''In'': Chancellor et al. (eds.): Holarctic Birds of Prey: 29-48. http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1998/31.%201998.pdf
+#{{Ref-GillDonsker14V5.2}}#Wink, M., et al. (1998). Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). ''In'': Chancellor et al. (eds.): Holarctic Birds of Prey: [http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1998/31.%201998.pdf 29-48].
+#Fuchs, J., Johnson, J. A., & Mindell, D. P. (2015). Rapid diversification of falcons (Aves: Falconidae) due to expansion of open habitats in the Late Miocene. ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' 82: [http://www.researchgate.net/publication/266248448_Rapid_diversification_of_falcons_%28Aves_Falconidae%29_due_to_expansion_of_open_habitats_in_the_Late_Miocene 166–182].
+{{Ref}}
 ==External Links==
 {{GSearch|Falco+columbarius}}