How big is a merlin compared to other birds?

A merlin is roughly the size of a mistle thrush and weighs around 160 to 230 grams, making it Britain's smallest raptor. They're only several times heavier than the meadow pipits and skylarks they hunt, which is a surprisingly small size difference for a predator and its prey.

Where can I see merlins in the UK?

Merlins breed on upland moors in northern England, Scotland, Wales and parts of Ireland during summer. In winter they move to lowland areas including coastal marshes, farmland and estuaries, which is actually when you've got better odds of spotting one if you're in the south.

Meadow pipits make up most of their diet on moorland, along with skylarks and other small birds caught in flight. In winter they'll take finches, buntings and the occasional small wader, though they're limited to prey they can physically overpower quickly given their small size.

Winging It

The Merlin: Britain's Smallest Raptor Hunts Like a Feathered Missile

Merlins are Britain's smallest raptor, yet they catch small birds mid-flight through sheer speed and manoeuvrability in short, brutal bursts. If you've actually witnessed one chasing down a meadow pipit across moorland rather than just seeing a distant speck on a post, you've seen something most people never will.

12 October 20267 min read