Merlin (Falco columbarius) is in the Falcons and Caracaras family (Falconidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 19,240 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Merlin: observations by month (U.S.)
About Merlin
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 53–58 centimetres (21–23 in), with females being slightly larger. They are swift fliers and skilled hunters who specialize in...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Merlin by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,607 | December | Oct–Mar |
| Texas | 1,552 | December | Oct–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 1,304 | December | Jun–Apr |
| New York | 1,124 | October | Aug–Apr |
| Florida | 1,090 | October | Sep–Apr |
| Ohio | 761 | January | Sep–Mar |
| Minnesota | 686 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Washington | 678 | September | Jul–Apr |
| Michigan | 635 | September | Jul–Oct |
| New Jersey | 572 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Massachusetts | 569 | October | Aug–May |
| Oregon | 528 | February | Sep–Apr |
| Maryland | 525 | January | Sep–Mar |
| Illinois | 515 | October | Sep–Feb |
| Vermont | 415 | April | Mar–May |
| Wisconsin | 380 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Virginia | 372 | January | Sep–Mar |
| Alaska | 286 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maine | 281 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Colorado | 246 | January | Sep–Apr |
| Idaho | 222 | December | Sep–Mar |
| North Carolina | 214 | October | Sep–Apr |
| Arizona | 202 | January | Oct–Mar |
| Louisiana | 170 | November | Oct–Apr |
| Montana | 168 | December | Nov–Apr |
| Connecticut | 165 | October | Sep–Jan |
| Delaware | 157 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Utah | 155 | December | Nov–Apr |
| New Mexico | 154 | December | Oct–Feb |
| Tennessee | 115 | January | Nov–Feb |
| New Hampshire | 110 | August | Apr–Sep |
| District of Columbia | 103 | December | Oct–Feb |
| Indiana | 98 | November | Jul–May |
| North Dakota | 91 | October | Jul–Oct |
| Missouri | 84 | October | Sep–Feb |
| South Carolina | 84 | January | Dec–Mar |
| Georgia | 81 | October | Sep–Apr |
| Mississippi | 81 | December | Sep–Jan |
| South Dakota | 72 | September | Sep–Apr |
| Alabama | 69 | October | Sep–Jan |
| Oklahoma | 69 | January | Nov–Feb |
| Rhode Island | 65 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Nebraska | 61 | December | Sep–Dec |
| Kansas | 60 | November | Oct–Mar |
| Kentucky | 53 | January | Oct–Feb |
| West Virginia | 52 | January | Dec–Mar |
| Iowa | 46 | January | Sep–Mar |
| Nevada | 45 | January | Oct–Feb |
| Wyoming | 37 | September | Sep–Feb |
| Arkansas | 31 | January | Sep–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Falcons and Caracaras)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Merlin?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from August to April.
Where is Merlin most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Pennsylvania.