Merlin

Falco columbarius

no photo — written note
photo: Wikimedia Commons
Birds

A compact dark falcon that hunts songbirds in fast direct flight, mostly on passage.

Field facts
HabitatOpen country, lakeshores, towns
RangeStatewide on migration; increasing in winter
When to lookSeptember to April
StatusLeast Concern (Indiana DNR / IUCN Red List)
Look-alikesKestrel — rustier and lighter

Field note: It often uses old crow nests rather than building its own.

Lesson
Watching responsibly

Keep back from roosting falcons at dusk.

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