![]() Merlins lay three to five eggs per clutch. Courtship rituals also include food begging by the female, food transfers from the male to the female, and nest displays by both sexes. In “flutter flight” displays, males fly slowly with quick, shallow wing beats in a circular or figure eight flight pattern near their perched mate. Both members of a pair also soar and “high circle” to mark their territory. Less and more intense versions of “power flying” are performed by males and females as well. Males use “power flying” (a display that involves flying with deep wing beats and rolling from side to side while traveling in strong, flapping flight)to attract females and to discourage intruding males. Merlins engage in an array of aerial displays. ![]() Pairs begin to bond one to two months before egg-laying. Unlike other North American falcons that do not bring nesting material to the nest, Merlins sometimes add greenery or other nesting materials. When nesting on cliffs or on the ground, Merlin create a depression or “scrape” in the substrate. ![]() The species also nests on cliff ledges, the ground, buildings, and in cavities in trees. Merlins do not build their own nests, but rather use the abandoned nest of other birds, mainly those of other raptors or magpies. In some instances females remain on the nesting territory throughout the year. Males usually return to the breeding grounds about a month earlier than females. Reuse of individual nest sites is less common. Merlins often return to the same breeding area, and many reoccupy the same nesting territory. Members of breeding pairs winter separately, and each spring either a new pair bond is formed or an old bond is re-established. Females are about 10% larger in size and 30% heavier than males. Female Merlins have dark brown backs and wings, dark brown tails with thin, buff-colored bands, and buff-colored underparts that are heavily streaked. Their underparts have heavy, dark streaking with a rufous wash along the sides of the breast. Adult males have bluish gray backs and wings, and black tails with two to five thin, gray bands. Prairie Merlins are lighter and Black Merlins are darker than Taiga Merlins. Juveniles of both sexes resemble adult females. Adult males and females are distinguishable from each other, as are respective members of the three subspecies. Merlins exhibit six recognizably distinct plumages in North America. Unlike many other falcons, merlins lack distinct mustache markings on their face. The species is a direct and deliberate flyer that flaps with short, powerful, piston-like wingbeats. Like other falcons, they have long, thin wings and long tails, and typically engage in active flight. Merlins are slightly larger than American Kestrels.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |