Merlin Similar Species Comparison

Main SpeciesMerlin

Adult male (Taiga)

Small, stocky falcon with a blocky head. Males are generally dark overall, but their color varies geographically. Adult male "Taiga" Merlin is medium gray above with a pale mustache stripe and a thin white eyebrow.

Adult male (Prairie)

Stocky and powerful falcon. Adult male "Prairie" Merlin from the central U.S. and Canada is pale gray above with a thin white eyebrow and no noticeable mustache stripe.

Adult (Taiga)

Small but powerfully built falcon with compact body and long tail. Note heavy dark streaking on underparts and lack of a strong "mustache" mark on the face.

Not all videos have sound

Adult (Black)

"Black" Merlin, which breeds from Alaska to Washington, is very dark overall—almost black—with a pronounced mustache.

Female/immature (Taiga)

Females/immatures are brown overall, but color varies geographically. "Taiga" Merlin breeding in the northern U.S. and Canada is medium brown above with a thin eyebrow and thick brown streaks below.

Adult with Killdeer

Mainly hunts birds, often shorebirds. Flight is fast and powerful. Note compact proportions with broad chest and broad-based, sharply pointed wings.

Not all videos have sound

Female/immature (Prairie)

Small, square-headed falcon. Female/immature "Prairie" Merlin from the central U.S. and Canada is pale brown with a thin eyebrow and pale brown streaks below.

Adult male (Taiga)

Stocky, compact falcon. Adults are heavily streaked below. Note square-tipped tail on perched birds.

Female/immature (Taiga)

Flies with stiff, powerful, and fast wingbeats. Note pointed wings and heavy streaking below.

Female/immature (Taiga)

Eats mostly birds, typically catching them in midair during high-speed attacks.

Adult (Black)

"Black" Merlin breeding from Alaska to Washington is dark overall with dark heavy streaking below.

Adult male (Pallid)

"Pallid" Merlin breeds on the steppes of Central Asia and winters from eastern Turkey to northwestern India. Adult male is similar to the North American "Prairie" Merlin, with pale gray upperparts and buffy highlights on the head and breast.

Female/immature (Pallid)

Female/immature "Pallid" Merlin is heavily barred above, with a mix of orange, brown, and buff. The tail is whitish with faint dark barring.

Adult male (Eurasian)

"Eurasian" Merlin breeds from Iceland to the Russian Far East. Adult male has gray upperparts and buffy, streaked underparts.

Habitat

Breeds in forested openings, edges, and along rivers across northern North America. During migration and winter, found in open forests, grasslands, and especially coastal areas with flocks of small songbirds or shorebirds.

Similar SpeciesAmerican Kestrel

Adult male (Northern)

American Kestrels are smaller, more slender, and paler than Merlins. They have a strong face pattern with two bold “mustache” stripes that Merlins lack.

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Similar SpeciesAmerican Kestrel

Female (Northern)

Female American Kestrels have bolder black markings on the face than Merlins. Females have barring on the back, unlike the solid brown back of Merlins.

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