Merlin
European Merlin, Falco columbarius aeasalon (or F. aesalon aesalon). Male (front) and female (behind). Young birds[verification needed] in back.
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae Genus: Falco Species: F. columbarius
Binomial name
Falco columbarius Linnaeus, 1758
Subspecies
3-9, see text. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 435 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (800 × 1103 pixel, file size: 68 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Falco columbarius File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn3. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. ... The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... For other meanings of bird, see bird (disambiguation). ... Families Accipitridae Pandionidae Falconidae Sagittariidae The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that include the diurnal birds of prey. ... Genera Daptrius Phalcoboenus Polyborus Milvago Herpetotheres Micrastur Spiziapteryx Polihierax Microhierax Falco The family Falconidae includes about 60 species of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. ... “Tiercel” redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Year 1758 (MDCCLVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... This article is about the zoological term. ...
Synonyms
Aesalon columbarius Falco aesalon (but see text) In scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different scientific names used for a single taxon. ...

The Merlin (Falco columbarius) or Merlin Falcon is a smallish falcon that breeds in northern North America, Europe and Asia. In North America it was once known as the pigeon hawk though being a falcon it is not very closely related to true hawks. “Tiercel” redirects here. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Genera Accipiter Micronisus Melierax Urotriorchis Erythrotriorchis The term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses: Strictly, to mean any of the species in the bird sub-family Accipitrinae in the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. ...

This bird of prey is 24-33 cm (9.5-13 in) long with a 53-69 cm (21-27 in) wingspan. Males average at about 165 g (5.8 oz) and females are typically about 230 g (8 oz). Compared to other small falcons, they are more robust and heavily built. The male Merlin has a blue-grey back and orange-tinted underparts. The female and immature are dark brown above and whitish spotted with brown below. American subspecies range from pale (Great Plains) to nearly black (Pacific Northwest). Besides a weak eye-stripe in adults, the faces are less strongly patterned than most falcons. Being closer in size and shape than most falcons, they are sometimes confused for Rock Pigeons and other pigeons. A few moments of watching the rocketing flight and aggressive behavior of a Merlin will ensure the bird-watcher that they're not looking at a pigeon. Light males may resemble the American Kestrel, but the grey, not brown back and tail of the Merlin are characteristic. Orders Accipitriformes     Cathartidae     Pandionidae     Accipitridae     Sagittariidae Falconiformes     Falconidae A bird of prey or raptor is a bird that hunts its food, especially one that preys on mammals or other birds. ... “Tiercel” redirects here. ... The Great Plains covers much of the central United States, portions of Canada and Mexico. ... The Pacific Northwest from space The Pacific Northwest, abbreviated PNW, or PacNW is a region in the northwest of North America. ... Binomial name Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) is a member of the bird family Columbidae, doves and pigeons. ... Pigeon redirects here. ... Binomial name Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758 The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small falcon. ...

Systematics

The relationships of the Merlin are not resolved to satisfaction. In size and coloration, it is fairly distinct among living falcons. The Red-necked Falcon is sometimes considered more closely related to the Merlin than other falcons, but this seems to be a coincidence due to similar hunting habits; it could not be confirmed in more recent studies. Indeed, the Merlin seems to represent a lineage distinct from other living falcons since at least the Early Pleistocene, some 5 mya (million years ago). As supported by biogeography and DNA sequence data, it might be part of an ancient radiation of Falcos from Europe to North America, alongside the ancestors of forms such as the American Kestrel, and the Aplomado Falcon and its relatives.^[1] Binomial name Falco chiquera Daudin, 1800 The Red-necked Falcon (Falco chiquera) is a bird of prey in the falcon family. ... Early Pleistocene (also known as Lower Pleistocene, or Calabrian) is a stage of the Pleistocene Epoch. ... Mega-annum, usually abbreviated as Ma, is a unit of time equal to one million years. ... Biogeography is the science which deals with patterns of species distribution and the processes that result in such patterns. ... part of a DNA sequence A DNA sequence (sometimes genetic sequence) is a succession of letters representing the primary structure of a real or hypothetical DNA molecule or strand, The possible letters are A, C, G, and T, representing the four nucleotide subunits of a DNA strand (adenine, cytosine, guanine... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... Binomial name Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758 The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small falcon. ... Binomial name Temminck, 1822 The Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis, is a medium-sized falcon of the Americas. ...

It is interesting to note a fossil falcon from the Early Blancan (4.3–4.8 mya) of Kansas^[2]. Slightly smaller than a Merlin but otherwise rather similar, it might have been the ancestor of the living species, or a close relative of those birds.(Feduccia 1970) For other uses, see Fossil (disambiguation). ... The Blancan North American Stage on the geologic timescale is the length of time, stage, from 4,750,000 to 1,808,000 years BP.[1][2] It is based upon North American faunal assemblages and is consistent with North American Land Mammal Ages (NALMA). ... Official language(s) English[2] Capital Topeka Largest city Wichita Area  Ranked 15th  - Total 82,277 sq mi (213,096 km²)  - Width 211 miles (340 km)  - Length 417 miles (645 km)  - % water 0. ...

Subspecies

That the Merlin has a long-standing presence on both sides of the Atlantic is evidenced by the degree of genetic distinctness between Eurasian and North American populations. Arguably, they might be considered distinct species.(Wink et al. 1998)

By and large, color variation in either group independently follows Gloger's Rule. The Pacific temperate rain forest subspecies suckelyi's males are almost uniformly black on the upperside and have heavy black blotches on the belly, whereas those of the lightest subspecies, pallidus, have little non-dilute eumelanin altogether, with grey upperside and reddish underside pattern. Glogers Rule is a zoological rule which states that within the same species of endotherms, more heavily pigmented forms tend to be found near the equator and lighter forms away from the equator. ... Temperate rain forests, such as this in Washingtons Olympic Peninsula, often grow right up to the shoreline The Pacific temperate rain forests of North America are the largest temperate rain forest zone on the planet. ... This article is about the zoological term. ... Melanin is a polymer of either or both of two monomer molecules: indolequinone, and dihydroxyindole carboxylic acid. ...

Eurasian group (may be a distinct species Falco aeasalon)

• Falco columbarius aeasalon Tunstall, 1771

Northern Eurasia, from British Isles through Scandinavia to central Siberia. Population of northern Britain shows evidence of gene flow from subaesalon. British Isles population resident, rest migratory.

• Falco columbarius subaeasalon C.L. Brehm, 1827

Iceland and Faroe Islands. Latter population has some gene flow with aesalon. Resident.

• Falco columbarius pallidus (Sushkin, 1900)

Asian steppes between Aral Sea and Altay Mountains. Migratory.

• Falco columbarius insignis (Clark, 1907)

Siberia between Yenisei and Kolyma Rivers. Migratory.

• Falco columbarius lymani Bangs, 1913

Mountains of eastern Kazakhstan and surrounding countries. Migratory.

• Falco columbarius pacificus (Stegmann, 1929)

Russian Far East to Sakhalin. Migratory.

American group 1771 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This article describes the archipelago in north-Western Europe. ... Scandinavia is a historical and geographical region centered on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe which includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. ... “Siberian” redirects here. ... In population genetics, gene flow (also known as gene migration) is the transfer of alleles of genes from one population to another. ... Christian Ludwig Brehm (January 24, 1787 - June 23, 1864) was a German pastor and ornithologist. ... Year 1827 (MDCCCXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Äž: For the film, see: 1900 (film). ... A steppe in Western Kazakhstan in early spring In physical geography, a steppe (Russian: - , Ukrainian: - , Kazakh: - ), pronounced in English as , is a plain without trees (apart from those near rivers and lakes); it is similar to a prairie, although a prairie is generally considered as being dominated by tall grasses... The Aral Sea (Kazakh: Арал Теңізі (Aral Tengizi), Uzbek: , Russian Аральскοе мοре) is a landlocked endorheic sea in Central Asia; it lies between Kazakhstan in the north and Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region of Uzbekistan, in the south. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Yenisei (Енисе́й) is the greatest river system flowing to the Arctic Ocean, and the fifth longest river in the world. ... The Kolyma River (Колыма́) is a river in northeastern Siberia, whose basin covers parts of the Republic of Sakha, Chukotka, and Magadan oblast. ... Outram Bangs (January 12, 1863–September 22, 1932) was a American zoologist. ... Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Far Eastern Federal District (highlighted in red) Russian Far East (Russian: Д́альний Вост́ок Росс́ии; English transliteration: Dalny Vostok Rossii) is an informal term that refers to the Russian part of the Far East, i. ... Sakhalin (Russian: , IPA: ; Japanese: 樺太 ) or サハリン )); Chinese: 庫頁; also Saghalien, is a large elongated island in the North Pacific, lying between 45°50 and 54°24 N. It is part of Russia and is its largest island, administered as part of Sakhalin Oblast. ...

• Falco columbarius columbarius Linnaeus, 1758

Northern North America east of Rocky Mountains, except Great Plains. Migratory.

• Falco columbarius richardsoni Ridgway, 1871

Great Plains. Resident.

• Falco columbarius suckleyi Ridgway, 1873

Pacific coast of North America, from S Alaska to N Washington state. Resident.

For individual mountains named Rocky Mountain, see Rocky Mountain (disambiguation). ... The Great Plains covers much of the central United States, portions of Canada and Mexico. ... Robert Ridgway. ... 1871 (MDCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... For other meanings of Pacific, see Pacific (disambiguation). ... Official language(s) English[1] Spoken language(s) English 85. ... Official language(s) English Capital Olympia Largest city Seattle Area  Ranked 18th  - Total 71,342 sq mi (184,827 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 6. ...

Ecology

Merlins breed in open country such as moorland, taiga or willow or birch scrub. Like the larger Peregrine Falcon, it is migratory, wintering in more temperate regions. Northern European birds move to southern Europe and North Africa, and North American populations to the southern USA and northern South America. In winter, the Merlin may be found in almost any open country, from coasts to prairies to desert scrub. In the mildest parts of its breeding range, such as Great Britain, it will desert higher ground and move to coasts and lowland. This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Species About 350, including: Salix acutifolia - Violet Willow Salix alaxensis - Alaska Willow Salix alba - White Willow Salix alpina - Alpine Willow Salix amygdaloides - Peachleaf Willow Salix arbuscula - Mountain Willow Salix arbusculoides - Littletree Willow Salix arctica - Arctic Willow Salix atrocinerea Salix aurita - Eared Willow Salix babylonica - Peking Willow Salix bakko Salix barrattiana... Species Many species; see text and classification Birch is the name of any tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. ... Binomial name Tunstall, 1771 Global range (shaded green, dark dots on islands) The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), occasionally known in North America as the Duck Hawk, is a medium-sized falcon about the size of a large crow: 380–530 millimetres (15–21 in) long. ... Flock of Barnacle Geese during autumn migration Bird migration refers to the regular seasonal journeys of varying distances undertaken by many species of birds. ...  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan Africa. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Prairie grasses Prairie refers to an area of land of low topographic relief that historically supported grasses and herbs, with few trees, and having generally a mesic (moderate or temperate) climate. ...

In Europe, Merlins will roost communally in winter, often with Hen Harriers. In North America, communal roosting is rare, and Merlins are well known for fiercely attacking any birds of prey that they encounter, even adult eagles. Binomial name Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus, 1766) The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a bird of prey of the harrier family. ... Genera Several, see below. ...

Merlins rely on speed and agility to hunt their prey. They often hunt by flying fast and low, typically less than 1 metre above the ground, trying to take prey by surprise. Prey will sometimes attempt to outfly the Merlin, which result in the falcon "tail-chasing" after them. Most of their prey are smallish birds (10-40 g), with local preferences for larks, pipits, sandpipers and House Sparrows. Almost any bird that is locally abundant will be taken, up to the size of Rock Pigeons. Breeding pairs will frequently hunt cooperatively, with one bird flushing the victims towards their mate. Other prey includes insects (especially dragonflies and moths), small mammals (especially bats and voles) and reptiles. Genera Mirafra Pinarocorys Heteromirafra Certhilauda Chersomanes Eremopterix Ammomanes Alaemon Ramphocoris Melanocorypha Calandrella Spizocorys Eremalauda Chersophilus Galerida Pseudalaemon Lullula Alauda Eremophila Larks are passerine birds of the predominantly Old World family Alaudidae. ... Genera Anthus Tmetothylacus † see also: wagtail, longclaw Pipits are small passerine birds with medium to long tails. ... Families Charadridae Jacanidae Rostratulidae Ibidorhynchidae Recurvirostridae Haematopodidae Scolopacidae Dromadidae Burhinidae Glareolidae Thinocoridae Waders, called Shorebirds in North America (where wader is used to refer to long-legged wading birds such as storks and herons), are members of the order Charadriiformes, excluding the more marine web-footed seabird groups. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the Old World sparrow family Passeridae. ... Binomial name Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 The Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) is a member of the bird family Columbidae, doves and pigeons. ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... Families Aeshnidae Austropetaliidae Cordulegastridae Corduliidae Gomphidae Libellulidae Neopetaliidae Petaluridae The dragonfly is an insect belonging to the Order Odonata, Suborder Anisoptera and characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body. ... A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly. ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the production of milk in female mammary glands and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex region in... “Chiroptera” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Vole (disambiguation). ... Reptilia redirects here. ...

Young Merlin in Porkeri, Faroe Islands

Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Porkeri is a village in the Faroe Islands near the Porkeri Mountains, just south of Vágur on Suðuroys east coast. ...

Reproduction

Most Merlins will use abandoned corvid or hawk nests which are in conifer or mixed tree stands. They will also set up a nest on cliff-faces and on the ground. In the UK, the female will usually make a shallow scrape on heather moorland to use as a nest. They have a preference for long heather so are susceptible to over management, by burning. Most nest sites have dense vegetative or rocky cover. Three to five (usually four) eggs are laid. The rusty brown eggs average at about 40 x 31.5 mm (1.58 x 1.24 in). The incubation period is 28 to 32 days. The female does almost all of the incubating, while the male hunts and feeds both her and their young. Hatchlings are about 13 g and are brooded for about 7 days. The fledging stage is reached at about 29 days and are dependant on their parents for up to 4 weeks. Sometimes first-year Merlins (especially males) will choose to serve as a "nest helper" for an adult pair. Corvids are the primary threat to eggs and nestlings. Adult Merlins may be preyed on by larger raptors, especially Peregrine Falcons, Great Horned Owls and larger Accipiter hawks (like Goshawks), but most other birds avoid Merlins due to their aggressiveness. Genera Platylophus Gymnorhinus Cyanocitta Aphelocoma Cyanocorax Garrulus Cissa Perisoreus Urocissa Cyanopica Dendrocitta Crypsirina Pica Zavattariornis Podoces Nucifraga Pyrrhocorax Ptilostomus Corvus The crow family (Corvidae) has members that are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes; in fact, it includes several that are among the largest. ... Genera Accipiter Micronisus Melierax Urotriorchis Erythrotriorchis The term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses: Strictly, to mean any of the species in the bird sub-family Accipitrinae in the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. ... Orders & Families Cordaitales † Pinales   Pinaceae - Pine family   Araucariaceae - Araucaria family   Podocarpaceae - Yellow-wood family   Sciadopityaceae - Umbrella-pine family   Cupressaceae - Cypress family   Cephalotaxaceae - Plum-yew family   Taxaceae - Yew family Vojnovskyales † Voltziales † The conifers, division Pinophyta, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. ... Genera Platylophus Gymnorhinus Cyanocitta Aphelocoma Cyanocorax Garrulus Cissa Perisoreus Urocissa Cyanopica Dendrocitta Crypsirina Pica Zavattariornis Podoces Nucifraga Pyrrhocorax Ptilostomus Corvus The crow family (Corvidae) has members that are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes; in fact, it includes several that are among the largest. ... Look up raptor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Binomial name Tunstall, 1771 Global range (shaded green, dark dots on islands) The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), occasionally known in North America as the Duck Hawk, is a medium-sized falcon about the size of a large crow: 380–530 millimetres (15–21 in) long. ... Binomial name (Gmelin, 1788) Distribution Subspecies see text Synonyms Strix virginiana Gmelin, 1788 The Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, is a very large owl native to North and South America. ... The genus Accipiter is a group of birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) The Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis; from OE. góshafoc goose-hawk) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. ...

This Faroese stamp features a male Merlin by Edward Fuglø.
It was judged the second most beautiful stamp of Europe released in 2002.

Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Merlin (bird) ... Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Merlin (bird) ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

Relationship with humans

In medieval Europe, Merlin's were popular in falconry. By far the most serious long-term threat to these birds is habitat clearance, especially in their breeding areas, while a frequent cause of death for individual birds is collision with man-made objects. Flying a Saker Falcon Falconry or hawking is an art or sport which involves the use of trained raptors (birds of prey) to hunt or pursue game for humans. ...

Footnotes

1. ^ Helbig et al. (1994), Wink et al. (1998), Griffiths (1999), Groombridge et al. (2002).
2. ^ Fox Canyon Local Fauna; see Martin et al. (2000) for dating. Known from some limb bones, UMMP V27159, V29107, V57508-V57510, and perhaps^{[verification needed]} V57513/V57514.

The Ruthven Exhibit Museums Building on Central Campus, looking towards the northeast The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is home to a number of museums, with a majority of them on Central Campus. ...

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Falco columbarius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
• Feduccia, J. Alan (1970): Some birds of prey from the Upper Pliocene of Kansas. Auk 87(4): 795-797. PDF fulltext
• Griffiths, Carole S. (1999): Phylogeny of the Falconidae inferred from molecular and morphological data. Auk 116(1): 116–130. PDF fulltext
• Groombridge, Jim J.; Jones, Carl G.; Bayes, Michelle K.; van Zyl, Anthony J.; Carrillo, José; Nichols, Richard A. & Bruford, Michael W. (2002): A molecular phylogeny of African kestrels with reference to divergence across the Indian Ocean. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 25(2): 267–277. doi:10.1016/S1055-7903(02)00254-3 (HTML abstract)
• Helbig, A.J.; Seibold, I.; Bednarek, W.; Brüning, H.; Gaucher, P.; Ristow, D.; Scharlau, W.; Schmidl, D. & Wink, Michael (1994): Phylogenetic relationships among falcon species (genus Falco) according to DNA sequence variation of the cytochrome b gene. In: Meyburg, B.-U. & Chancellor, R.D. (eds.): Raptor conservation today: 593-599. PDF fulltext
• Martin, R.A.; Honey, J.G. & Pelaez-Campomanes, P. (2000): The Meade Basin Rodent Project; a progress report. Kansas Geologial Survey Open-file Report 2000-61^{[verification needed]}. Paludicola 3(1): 1-32.
• Wink, Michael; Seibold, I.; Lotfikhah, F. & Bednarek, W. (1998): Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes). In: Chancellor, R.D., Meyburg, B.-U. & Ferrero, J.J. (eds.): Holarctic Birds of Prey: 29-48. Adenex & WWGBP. PDF fulltext

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... The Auk is a quarterly journal and the official publication of the American Ornithologists Union, having been continuously published by that body since 1884. ... The Auk is a quarterly journal and the official publication of the American Ornithologists Union, having been continuously published by that body since 1884. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Falco columbarius

• Merlin Falcon Foundation A non-profit organization that researches the Coastal Forest Merlin's life history and educates scientists and citizens about this raptor's importance to the Northwest environment.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Merlin
• USGS Patuxent - Merlin
• South Dakota Birds - Merlin Information and Photos
• Picture of Black Merlin (Falco columbarius suckleyi subspecies)

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