#0803 · 🐦 birds

Merlin

🇳🇱 Smelleken ·Falco columbarius

LCleast concern 🐦 Birds 📍 in the Netherlands

8 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

what is it?

The Merlin ( Falco columbarius ) is a small species of falcon from the Northern Hemisphere, with numerous subspecies throughout North America and Eurasia. A bird of prey once known colloquially as a pigeon hawk in North America, the Merlin breeds in the northern Holarctic; some migrate to subtropical and northern tropical regions in winter. Males typically have wingspans of 53–58 centimetres (21–23 in), with females being slightly larger. They are swift fliers and skilled hunters who specialize in...

base stats

NL sightings 23iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 41,965iNaturalist observations
weight 212 gadult, up to
threat LCleast concern

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).