Date: 5/23/26 12:51 pm From: Mark Borden via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] The Merlin -A falconers perspective
Dear Tweeters,
Ah Merlins…
They are certainly one of the most exciting and neatest Raptors that we
have locally.
Since old England, Merlin’s have been considered the “Ladies Falcon.” This
is likely for several reasons. First, they are a very mild mannered bird to
train. Second, they are light enough to be easily carried by a “lady.“
Though they are small, they lack nothing when it comes to speed and bravery
in pursuit. They appear even faster than they actually are because of their
small size.
There is a huge difference from a Falconer perspective between a kestrel
and a Merlin, even though they appear very similar in size when they are
seen perched, or flying. The Merlin weighs quite a bit more, often more
than twice as much in fact. This weight difference is noticeable in the
“wing loading“ and a Merlin needs to beat those wings a lot harder to stay
aloft. This also serves as an advantage because when they want to come down
fast, they really can come down fast!
They are one of the most exciting birds for a Falconer to fly “to the
lure.“ A Merlin enthusiast can find YouTube videos that demonstrate the
speed and maneuverability of a Merlin when flown to the lure. Probably the
bird that wins the most lure flying competitions is the Merlin Peregrine
hybrid.
When it comes to catching prey, Merlin‘s catch their quarry in the air.
Flying Doves is quite a challenge, because if the Doves enter cover, the
Merlin has no chance unless the falconer can reflush. Most doves cannot be
caught by a Merlin. When a Falconer hunting a Merlin enters a field there
may be dozens of Doves, and an experienceed Merlin will fly amongst the
Doves, observing their behavior until one dove behaves differently than the
rest. There is a substantial difference between the personalities of all
birds from individual to individual. Most Doves will just outfly the
Merlin, but the occasional dove will stay low to the ground, dodging and
turning and will be catchable by the Merlin. It is never easy though, and
the flights can go quite a while and quite a distance. An experienced
Merlin will immediately recognize the “catchable,“ Dove and ignore all of
the others.
Many Merlin falconers trap immature Merlin‘s in the fall, fly them for the
winter and then fatten them up, releasing them in the spring. This is good
because those immature birds are not a part of the breeding population, and
at least 3/4 of them will die during their first winter in the wild. In a
falconers’s care they flourish, and once through the winter, most likely go
on to breed.
I can tell many spectacular tales of Merlin pursuits having witnessed
hundreds. If anyone is interested, I will write down my favorite which I
witnessed in Sacramento back in 1996.
It is very fortunate that the Merlin is adapting so well to civilization,
and that we have more of them now than ever before. They are truly a great
bird.
