The merlin (Falco columbarius) is a bird of the falcon family, Falconidae, in the order Falconiformes.
Quick answer
The merlin (Falco columbarius) is a small, compact falcon that breeds across northern North America, Europe and Asia and hunts small birds in fast, low, twisting chases. Males are blue-grey above, females brown. It is 25–33 cm long and weighs about 190 g. It shares its name with Cornell Lab's Merlin Bird ID app. The species is listed as Least Concern.
Top questions about the Merlin
Merlin facts at a glance
- Weight 190 g
- Length 33 cm
- Lifespan 3 years
| Scientific name | Falco columbarius |
|---|---|
| Diet | Small birds such as pipits, larks and finches; large insects |
| Habitat | Moorland, tundra, open forest; coasts and farmland in winter |
| Size | 25–33 cm long; wingspan 60–68 cm |
| Weight | About 190 g; females heavier |
| Lifespan | Typically 3 years; oldest ringed bird in Britain 12 years 8 months |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2021) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
Where it lives
The merlin (Falco columbarius) is native to Breeds across northern North America, Europe and Asia; winters south to northern South America, North Africa and southern Asia. — recorded across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a merlin?
An adult merlin measures 33 cm long — about 19% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 190 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a baby merlin called?
Baby name
A baby Merlin is called an eyas.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Identification
Merlins are small, stocky falcons with pointed wings and a fairly long tail. Males are slate-blue above with orange-buff, streaked underparts; females and young are brown above and heavily streaked. They lack the bold 'moustache' of the peregrine.
Pursuit hunters
Merlins fly fast and low over open ground and chase small birds through every twist and turn, sometimes climbing high after a fleeing lark. They often hunt from a fence post or rock.
Range and migration
Merlins breed in moorland, tundra and open northern forest across North America, Europe and Asia. Many move south for the winter, to coasts and farmland, and as far as Central and South America and North Africa.
Status
BirdLife International lists the merlin as Least Concern (2021), estimating 250,000 to 3.2 million mature birds and a stable trend. In Britain it is a scarce breeding bird of upland moors.
Explore the Merlin
Close relatives
- Common Kestrel Same genus
- Gyrfalcon Same genus
- American Kestrel Same genus
- Peregrine Falcon Same genus
Did you know? Merlin facts
- Merlins often hunt from a fence post or rock.
- The name comes from Old French, not the wizard of legend.
Conservation status of the Merlin
The merlin (Falco columbarius) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
Merlin (Falco columbarius) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2021. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Merlin
Is the merlin bird related to the Merlin app?
Only by name. Merlin Bird ID is a free bird identification app from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; the merlin is a small falcon.
How big is a merlin?
About 25–33 cm long with a wingspan of 60–68 cm, roughly the size of a large thrush.
What do merlins eat?
Mostly small birds such as meadow pipits, larks and finches, plus dragonflies and other large insects.
Where does the name merlin come from?
From the Old French 'esmerillon', a name for the bird, not from the wizard of Arthurian legend.
What is a baby merlin called?
A baby Merlin is called an eyas.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Merlin:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Falco columbarius, most recently assessed in 2021.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Falco columbarius. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Falco columbarius. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Merlin. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Merlin Falco columbarius. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.
IUCN Red List category Least Concern (assessed 2021), population estimate and trend.
- Animal Diversity Web: Falco columbarius. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Size, lifespan and behaviour.
- BTO BirdFacts: Merlin. British Trust for Ornithology.
Typical lifespan, oldest ringed bird and UK body weight.
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
Average body mass.
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.
English and scientific name, classification and range.
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