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.
White-naped pigeon White-naped pigeon The white-naped pigeon ("Columba albinucha") is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat destruction. Although described as locally common in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the white-naped pigeon is in general a scarce bird with a limited range. The chief threat it faces is the clearance of the forest habitat in which it lives, although it can survive in secondary woodland