![]() ![]() When courting, Merlins (particularly males) perform spectacular flight displays, including bursts of strong, level flight while rocking side to side in the air deep U-shaped dives and slow, fluttering flights in a circle or figure-eight near to a perched mate. Merlins are monogamous during a breeding season, but 80 percent find new mates from year to year. During the breeding season they are highly territorial around the nest, chasing away other Merlins and potential predators. Despite their small size, Merlins look powerful in flight they flap their wings faster than Prairie or Peregrine falcons. A typical flight speed is 30 miles per hour, and can be faster during chases. T he Merlin is a strong and maneuverable flier. Merlin pairs have been seen teaming up to hunt large flocks of waxwings: one Merlin flushes the flock by attacking from below the other comes in moments later to take advantage of the confusion. Other prey include large insects such as dragonflies, bats caught at cave openings, nestling birds, and small mammals. They don’t stoop on birds the way Peregrine Falcons do instead they attack at high speed, horizontally or even from below, chasing the prey upwards until they tire. Common prey include Horned Lark, House Sparrow, Bohemian Waxwing, Dickcissel, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, and other shorebirds. They often specialize on hunting a couple of the most abundant species around prey are generally small to medium-sized birds in the 1–2 ounce range. Merlins eat mostly birds, typically catching them in midair during high-speed attacks. Merlin populations have largely recovered from twentieth-century declines, thanks to a ban on the pesticide DDT and their ability to adapt to life around towns and cities. Medieval falconers called them “lady hawks,” and noblewomen used them to hunt Sky Larks. They are powerful fliers, but you can tell them from larger falcons by their rapid wingbeats and overall dark tones. In Washington, one species from this family belongs to the caracara group, while the others are true falcons.Merlins are small, fierce falcons that use surprise attacks to bring down small songbirds and shorebirds. Extended parental care is the norm for this family, as it takes a relatively long time for the young to learn to hunt. ![]() Once the young no longer need to be brooded, both parents bring food. The female generally incubates the eggs and broods the young, while the male brings food to the nest. Some caracaras build stick nests in trees, but most species in this family nest on cliffs, in other birds' nests, or in cavities, and typically do not add any nesting material. They are generally monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. Like other birds of prey, females are larger than males. Regardless of the approach, members of this family almost always use their feet to catch prey. Members of the caracara group are more opportunistic, taking carrion as well as live prey and often foraging on the ground. Many catch avian prey in flight, but others prey on large insects, mammals, and ground-dwelling birds. Built for speed, most falcons have pointed wings and long tails. Some of the fastest-flying birds can be found in the falcon group. ![]() This widespread and diverse family of predatory birds is divided into two groups.
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