The Merlin (Falco columbarius) breeds across most of Canada and Alaska as well as some areas of the northwestern United States. The species winters across the western two-thirds of the United States as well as the Atlantic coastline area and into Mexico. This small falcon used to be known as "Pigeon Hawk". The species preys mainly on birds, even birds larger than itself. The bird in the shot on the left wintered in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in 2002-2003. This shot was taken in December, 2002, with a Canon EOS D60 and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender.

The next two images show a Merlin perched on a barbed wire fence along the Texas Gulf coast at High Island in February, 2007. These two shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and both 2X and 1.4X extenders.