They are dark blue-gray with black, and white underside streaked with gray and distinctive white stripe over orange eye. They are resident year around of the local forests, often remaining along the treeline. They feed on ptarmigan, grouse, snowshoe hare and any other small game. They are extremely protective of their nest and will attack human intruders without hesitation. They are small falcon of 12 inches long with a wingspan of 2 feet, and are dark gray black with streaked breast and white tip tail.
Females are generally larger than males.
Merlin are not very common and usually stay near the edges of the forest and marshes. They nest on cliff ledges, in a tree hollow, or on the ground. They hunt at tree top level and feed on small birds, squirrels, voles, insects, and bats. They nest in tree cavities or hole in cutbank. They are between 18 to 25 inches long, of color brown, with dark cross barring on breast and prominent ear tufts.