Merlin

Name: Merlin

Scientific name: Falco columbarius

Category: Birds

Nature Stars: 70

What are nature stars?

About: The Merlin is a small falcon, not much bigger than a Blackbird. They feed on small birds, especially Meadow Pipits which it chases in level flight. They nest on the ground, amongst the heather.

How to identify: Males are bluey-grey above, with a grey head and orangey cream underparts streaked in black. The females are mainly grey-brown, with dark streaking underneath.

Where: Nests on moorlands in north and south west England, Wales and Scotland, winters on coastal marshes and farmland in the lowlands.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 80
• Agility: 80
• Rarity: 80
• Cute factor: 30
• Traveller: 80

Fantastic fact: The Merlin is the smallest European falcon.

Photograph credit: Wildstock