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.
Barking imperial pigeon Barking imperial pigeon The barking imperial pigeon ("Ducula latrans"), also known as Peale's imperial pigeon, is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. It is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs on most of the medium and large islands. Its natural habitats are mature tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forest. The species is one of two imperial-pigeons found in Fiji; the other, the Pacific imperial pigeon, is found on smaller islands. The barking imperial pigeon is frugivorous, feeding on large fruits of the "Cananga", "Dysoxylum" and "Myristica" (nutmegs). It feeds alone or in pairs, occasionally