[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Prey

The idea that Merlins take only House Sparrows and Starlings is somewhere between pure hogwash and wishful thinking. More on a par with "My outdoor cat doesn't harm birds" than reality. Perhaps the relationship to these two species comes from the fact that they are the only two bird species allo

[cayugabirds-l] Merlin prey

Merlins regularly prey on exhausted warblers approaching shore (low over the water) after a night of transoceanic migration. Bill E -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.c

Re:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Prey

Thanks all, I am now much better informed! And have avoided yet one more potential error in the upcoming guide. Boy, is editing proofs a @#*%$!! -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.Northe

Re:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin prey

This is an excerpt I copied from the Wikipedia listing for Merlin/Pigeon Hawk: In particular during the breeding season, most of the prey are smallish birds weighing 10–40 g (0.35–1.4 oz). Almost any such species will be taken, with local preferences for whatever is most abundant—be it larks (Alau