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.
Goliath imperial pigeon Goliath imperial pigeon The goliath imperial pigeon ("Ducula goliath"), also known as the New Caledonian imperial pigeon and the notou, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to New Caledonia. Its natural habitat is humid forests. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as a near-threatened species. This species was described as "Carpophaga" ("Phænorhina") "goliath" by George Robert Gray in 1859. It is a monotypic species. The goliath imperial pigeon is about long, making it one of the largest species of arboreal pigeon. It is a slender bird with a long