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.
Domestic pigeon birds as possible in the West Midlands. Pigeon breeders sometimes suffer from an ailment known as "bird fancier's lung" or "pigeon lung". A form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, "pigeon lung" is caused by the inhalation of the avian proteins found in feathers and dung. It can sometimes be combated by wearing a filtered mask. Other pigeon related pathogens causing lung disease are "Chlamydophila psittaci" (which causes psittacosis, "Histoplasma capsulatum" (which causes histoplasmosis and "Cryptococcus neoformans", which causes cryptococcosis. Many domestic birds have escaped or been released over the years, and have given rise to the feral pigeon. These show a variety