Merlin

How to find it

Look for single birds rather than groups. Merlins usually migrate alone, either along the coasts or across the Central Valley. Scan exposed perches in open country, usually trees, because a Merlin likes to sit for long periods. It is also most often seen flying low over the ground after prey. Be ready for a short view, as it rushes close to the ground and quickly disappears.

How to recognise it

Males are blue-gray above. Females and young birds are brown above. Both show heavy dark streaks underneath and a banded tail.

The face is plain, with no strong moustache mark. A Merlin is a little bigger and bulkier than an American Kestrel, and a male has a grey back and tail rather than the reddish-brown of kestrels. Immature birds look like females.

Young Merlins lack the rufous colour of the American Kestrel and differ from young Accipiter hawks in size and shape. Many views are brief, so note the overall colour, the streaked underparts and the plain face before the bird is gone.

What it sounds like

Recording: Joshua V. Addesi, CC BY 4.0, source, read 4 Nov 2026.

Behaviour and diet

A Merlin darts out at high speed from an exposed perch to chase prey. It sometimes hunts on the wing by gliding or hovering. It mostly takes small birds, especially migrant swallows, plus large insects.

Merlins are solitary. Their flight is powerful and straight, with pigeon-like wingbeats. They hunt with fast, low, direct chases after small birds in open country, and they do not use a high dive like a Peregrine.

Where it lives

In Costa Rica the Merlin prefers open and semi-open country at almost any elevation. It rarely climbs as high as 3000 m.

It has been recorded around Río Frío and in the highlands of the central region. One was recorded at San Gerardo de Dota, in the highlands of San José province, in February 2024, which shows that highland valleys can produce winter birds.

When to see it

Autumn migrants pass from late September to early November, and some birds stay for the winter. Only one record exists from the spring migration, in mid-March, so the fall passage is the best chance.

Similar birds

The American Kestrel is the main lookalike. The Merlin is a little bigger and bulkier, with a plainer face and no strong moustache mark. A male Merlin is grey on the back and tail, while kestrels are reddish-brown.

Names and lore in Costa Rica

Besides the AOCR name Esmerejón, Costa Rican wildlife guides call this bird Halcón Esmerejón. Other Spanish names are Falcón migratorio and Halconcito.

Status and conservation

The AOCR list marks the Merlin as M, a migrant, and the IUCN lists it as Least Concern.

Photography tips

Merlins spend much of their time perched, scanning the landscape. Look for them on exposed perches, usually trees, and keep the camera ready for a fast, low pass.