Smallest falcon. Male with slate grey upperparts, and pinkish buff, speckled underparts . Female dark brown above and heavily speckled below. Due to the extensive markings, the underparts give a darker impression than in Kestrel. Tail of female with dark broad bands, tail of male with broad black terminal band.

The Merlin is a small, dark falcon once known as the “Pigeon Hawk” because it somewhat resembles a pigeon in flight. Merlins are widespread, but uncommon throughout their range.

Slightly larger than the American Kestrel, the Merlin is much more aggressive in behavior and more powerful in flight than its smaller falcon cousin. Females are larger, as with most birds of prey. Plumage differs between the sexes: adult males are gray-blue above, females are dark brown.

American Kestrels are smaller, more slender, and paler than Merlins. They have a strong face pattern with two bold “mustache” stripes that Merlins lack.