These birds are in the scientific family Falconidae
MERLIN
Very small and fast
Once called the “pigeon hawk”
Pointed angular wings
Fast wing beat,
Long narrow tail
Quick Identification tips:
· The Merlin is the only raptor with multiple narrow tail bands
· Small size
· Merlin are speedy and powerful in their flight.
KESTREL
Small size
brownish falcon with grey head and two black vertical line markings on each side of its face
white and black tail bands tail bands
Live in urban areas
Quick Identification tips:
· Often seen perched on trip tops along highways.
· No other bird of prey has a rusty colored back and tail
· The two vertical black stripes on its face help indentify it differently from the Merlin.
· The Kestrel has a bouncy flight. They flap several times with only very occasional glides.
MERLIN
Very small and fast
Once called the “pigeon hawk”
Pointed angular wings
Fast wing beat,
Long narrow tail
Quick Identification tips:
· The Merlin is the only raptor with multiple narrow tail bands
· Small size
· Merlin are speedy and powerful in their flight.
KESTREL
Small size
brownish falcon with grey head and two black vertical line markings on each side of its face
white and black tail bands tail bands
Live in urban areas
Quick Identification tips:
· Often seen perched on trip tops along highways.
· No other bird of prey has a rusty colored back and tail
· The two vertical black stripes on its face help indentify it differently from the Merlin.
· The Kestrel has a bouncy flight. They flap several times with only very occasional glides.