Merlin (bird) this phenomenon is due to the fluctuations of supplementary food stocks discussed above. 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
Hill pigeon leaves and occasionally small mollusks such as snails. On some occasions, they become very opportunistic, feeding on leftover food, partially digested food from kiang dung, and even undigested food from stomach of kiang carcasses which are ripped open by other predators. Hill pigeon The hill pigeon, eastern rock dove, or Turkestan hill dove ("Columba rupestris") is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. The hill pigeon is a stout-bodied pigeon, similar in size and general appearance to the rock pigeon, but mainly differentiated by its tail pattern which consist of a broad, white tail-band across the black tail. Other