The Highly Adaptable Merlin Falcon is at Home in Small Town America

This short video explores how Merlin Falcon's have made a home in small town America through their relationships with crows and house sparrows. #merlinfalcon #merlin #finalfrontier #frienemies #nature #birds #falcons

[@FisherKot]

I love Merlins

[@alanjohnson2662]

Decades ago I was accustomed to seeing kestrels in suburban locations. In the past few years I noticed a new specie and thought it was the sharp shinned hawk. Now I think they are merlins. They visit my yard probably because I put out seed for the wild birds.

[@christiseals9447]

EXCELLENT VIDEO- KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

[@richhanlon8270]

Thanks!

[@raphlvlogs271]

they are both generalist and specialists at the same time

[@notsohandytim5090]

Well, you didn't record the Merlin call for us, so guess I'll go search somewhere else. 🙄

[@richhanlon8270]

@notsohandytim5090 this video was not meant to be an aid in species ID, but rather to present part of the story about how and why merlin falcon populations are on the rise in small towns in PA and NY. I apologize if anything about the description was misleading to you. For some really good audio clips, I wonder if you might find this page from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to be helpful. Good luck in your merlin quest, and happy birding. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin/sounds

[@notsohandytim5090]

@@richhanlon8270 We have had a similar range expansion here in western Oregon with the Red Shouldered Hawk. So far I haven't gotten a good look at him, but his loud call is clear and now obvious. I wanted to compare him to the Merlin which was my initial suspect. Bird on my friend, bird on. 🐦

[@davemyers7507]

Is it because of the trees? Great job thanks 😊

[@richhanlon8270]

An in”tree”guing thought! There are some big old Norway spruce trees in every small town I’ve witnessed merlin falcons attempting to breed, and the chosen site has been an old crows nest near the top of a Norway spruce.

[@richhanlon8270]

Thanks Dave Myers!