The Merlin and the Dove

A Mourning Dove sees a Merlin for the last time.

Okay, after many comments about this bird not being a Sharp-shinned Hawk, I've changed the description to a Merlin, after examining pictures of the Sharp-shinned, Merlin, and Northern Goshawk. The snow made the exposure of the hawk a little dark, so it's hard to identify.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• hawk
• dove
• sharp-shinned
• merlin

[nichols1969]

Okay, it's probably a Merlin based on previous comments. Changed title...

[wieslawl59]

Merlin???? NEVER!!! Merlin's wings reach the end of the tail when perched. It is just an ordinary male goshawk. Look at the profile of its head. Does it look like a falcon to you???

[Anopholes1]

I'll go with merlin, primary feathers are decidedly more pointed than a hawk's and the barring on the tail is not as pronounced as a sharp-shinned. But I admit very similar when perched.

[chinchillas2cool]

read chinchillas2cool as observation

[chinchillas2cool]

HdderRT is probably right . I thought at first it was a Cooper's, but looking again and reviewing a Goshawk; it might be a Goshawk. It's not a Merlin no doubt. You might want to look into a Northern Goshawk. There are strong point to prove that is this bird.

[petej1956]

It's definitely a Merlin, wings are a bit long, tail is a bit short for a Sharpie. The can look very similar though.

[HdderRT]

probably a Northern Goshawk, judging by the size and color pattern

[sharan60dream]

amazing video but probably not sharp shinned hawk too big