Field Notes: New Bird in Town

The prairie merlin, a small aggressive falcon, appears to be taking up residence in Minnesota.

Found in low numbers throughout North America, the merlin resembles the more familiar peregrine falcon but is smaller. The peregrine is as big as a crow; the merlin about two-thirds that size. The merlin doesn't have the bright colors of the slightly smaller American kestrel. The prairie, or Richardson's, subspecies ranges the northern Great Plains, but breeding birds hadn't been reported in Minnesota until 1998, when a nest was found in Kittson County.

Last summer, four nesting pairs were found in the Twin Cities, according to Carrol Henderson, DNR nongame wildlife supervisor. "Urban landscaping habits and the popularity of bird feeding have provided a perfect artificial habitat that meets all the needs of these dashing falcons," he said. Merlins feed primarily on small to medium-sized birds, which they chase down in swift, level flight. They are capable of quick changes in direction and spectacular aerial maneuvers.

Merlins may nest on the ground or in old birds' nests, but in cities, they often take over old crow nests in tall spruces.

The DNR Nongame Wildlife Program has helped provide money for The Raptor Center to study the growing population of urban merlins. Matthew Solensky, a biologist with The Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota, asks that anyone spotting a merlin in the Twin Cities call him at 612-624-1229 to report the date and location.