What is a "merlin"?

Merlin is a small, agile falcon known for its swift flight and remarkable hunting skills. With their compact bodies, pointed wings, and long tails, they are built for speed and maneuverability. Merlins typically have dark brown or grayish-brown feathers with lighter undersides, and adult males often display a distinctive blue-gray back and orange-tinged underparts. They are skilled hunters, preying on various small birds and sometimes even insects. Merlins are known for their fierce and determined nature, often pursuing their prey with impressive speed and agility. They are often found in open habitats such as moorlands, grasslands, and marshes, where they perch on high spots to scan for potential prey. While they are primarily solitary birds, they may form loose breeding pairs during the breeding season. With their swift flight and keen hunting abilities, merlins are fascinating birds to observe in the wild.