Merlin Falco columbarius Linnaeus       Field Guide IDs: NG-122; G-80; PE-162; PW-pl 16; AE-pl 313; AW-pl 328; AM(I)-258 Nest Location Nest Type Eggs & Mating System Dev. & Parental Care Primary & 2ndary Diet.. Foraging Strategy F -M I: 28-32 DAYS SEMIALTRICIAL 2 15 feet- 35 feet (8 feet - 60 feet) CLIFF CAVITY F 4-5 (2-7) MONOG F: 30-35 DAYS MF SMALL MAMMALS INSECTS HAWKS BREEDING: Open habitats, nests primarily in open woodland, savanna; occ in cities. 1 brood. DISPLAYS: Pair perform aerial acrobatics high over nest site. NEST: Often use abandoned nest of crows, magpies, hawks, occ relined with twigs and feathers; also use tree cavity with commanding view, cliff, or scrape on ground in treeless country. EGGS: White, marked with reddish-brown, some nearly unmarked. 1.6" (40 mm). DIET: Often >90% birds. Rather than stooping, often take prey in fast, low horizontal flight. CONSERVATION: Winters s through C.A., West Indies to n S.A. Blue List 1972-81, Special Concern 1982-86; uncommon, status unclear. Showing effects of pesticides in e Canada and of mercury buildup in w Canada. NOTES: Male arrives on breeding grounds before female, usu returning to same area each year. Male does all of hunting from courtship through incubation, occ through nestling period. Yearlings, esp males, occ serve as helpers in territory defense, feeding of female, etc. Females take heavier prey than do males; seasonal changes in diet correspond to prey availability. Formerly known as Pigeon Hawk. STANFORD. NOTES: Uncommon migrant and winter visitor virtually throughout campus. During winter, often seen perched conspicuously at the tops of tall redwoods and eucalyptus trees or in rapid pursuit of Mourning Doves, House Finches, and other birds. .....Similar Species: American Kestrel ESSAYS: Size and Sex in Raptors; Raptor Hunting; Raptor Conservation; Cooperative Breeding; Metallic Poisons; DDT REFERENCES: Becker, 1985; Cade, 1982; Cramp and Simmons, 1980; James and Oliphant, 1986; Newton et al., 1984.