MERLIN (FALCO COLUMBARIUS)

The merlin is one of the smallest of falcons, a true longwing but a very efficient bird scarer particularly so against sparrows and starlings. It is known as a pigeon hawk but is really too small to cope with pigeons, a bird of the UK found in upland areas on moorland.

We fly the female merlin as we find the jack or the male merlin too small to cope with larger pests on a regular basis. The merlins we fly for bird control are fed twice a day as the merlin would lack strength if rations for the day weren’t sufficient.

These are extremely agile and fast falcons and are flown daily to a swing lure to keep conditioned.