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
Madagascan blue pigeon bill is greenish with a yellow tip. Little is known about its behaviour. It has been observed feeding on fruit, either in pairs or in small groups of up to 12 birds. The nests are simple platforms of twigs placed up a tree, and the clutch size is a single egg. Madagascan blue pigeon The Madagascan blue pigeon ("Alectroenas madagascariensis") is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. The species is closely related to the other two extant species of blue pigeon, the Comoros blue pigeon and the Seychelles blue pigeon. It is endemic to northern and eastern Madagascar.