Merlin (bird) Merlin (bird) The merlin ("Falco columbarius") is a small species of falcon from the Northern Hemisphere, with numerous subspecies throughout North America and Eurasia. A bird of prey once known colloquially as a pigeon hawk in North America, the merlin breeds in the northern Holarctic; some migrate to subtropical and northern tropical regions in winter. Males typically have wingspans of , with females being slightly larger. They are swift fliers and skilled hunters who specialize in preying on small birds in the size range of sparrows to quail. The merlin has for centuries been well regarded as a falconry bird.
Tooth-billed pigeon Tooth-billed pigeon The tooth-billed pigeon ("Didunculus strigirostris"), also known as the manumea, is a large pigeon found only in Samoa. It is the only living species of genus "Didunculus". A related extinct species, the Tongan tooth-billed pigeon ("Didunculus placopedetes"), is only known from subfossil remains in several archeological sites in Tonga. The tooth-billed pigeon is the national bird of Samoa and featured on the 20 "tālā" bills and the 50 "sene" pieces of the 2008/2011 series. The tooth-billed pigeon is a medium-sized, approximately 31 cm long, dark pigeon with reddish feet and red bare skin around the eye. The underparts,