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
Spotted imperial pigeon Spotted imperial pigeon The spotted imperial pigeon ("Ducula carola"), also known as the grey-necked imperial pigeon, is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. Endemic to the Philippines, it lives in forests and forest edges. It is a vulnerable species threatened by habitat loss and hunting. This species was first described as "Ptilocolpa carola" by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1854. The specific name "carola" is derived from the name of a daughter of Bonaparte, Charlotte Honorine Joséphine Pauline Contessa Primoli di Foglia. Three subspecies are recognized: "D. c. carola" on Luzon, Mindoro and Sibuyan; "D. c. nigrorum" on Negros