Merlin is the UK’s smallest bird of prey, a dashing bird with a square-cut tail and short, pointed wings. Male Merlins are blue-grey in colour and females are grey-brown. Merlins are fast and agile, chasing small birds in the air.
Merlin is on the Scottish Biodiversity List. It is also on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. The UK breeding population is estimated at about 1,000 pairs and they nest in upland areas. The winter population is much higher as we get overwintering birds from Iceland, and in winter Merlins can be found in coastal areas.
A national survey of Merlin is taking place in 2026.
Photos: © Simon Jones
Illustrations: Mike Langman for rspb-images.com
Action Needed
The Scottish Government must report on the population size and range of Merlin, according to a provision of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act. However, Scottish Government funding is needed for the monitoring that would provide this data.
Threats
As ground-nesting birds, Merlins need open habitat and safety from predators who eat their eggs. Invasive non-native species and development and forestry plantations can all threaten their habitat.
MSP Nature Champion
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