They also breed in the Arctic, nesting in slight hollows on the ledges of high cliffs. Voice is a repeated we-hew or a rapid rasping cack cack cack. Merlins look like miniature peregrines, with males blue-gray above and banded black on the tail. Females and young birds are dusky brown above, white below. Voice is a rasping chatter.
Merlins prey mainly on birds, but also take small mammals and insects.
They favor open woods or heavy timber in wild areas. They nest about 35-60 feet up on ledges, in natural cavities or in old nests of other birds. Incubation takes 30 days and is by the female. Kestrels, also known as sparrow hawks, have rusty red head caps, backs and tails, and a black and white face pattern. Males have blue-gray wings, females brown wings.