209 
Field Marks. By small size, to be confused only with the Sparrow Hawk and the 
Sharp-shinned (See Plates XXVIII A and XXV A). Separated from the former by habits, 
habitat, and lack of any red in plumage, and from the latter by pointed instead of rounded 
wings, and falcon-like outline and action {Similar to Figure 231, compare with 207). 
Distribution. Northern North America. In winter, as far south as northern South 
America. In Canada, across the continent, north to tree limit. 
SUBSPECIES. The Pigeon Hawk is divided into three geographical races. The 
Eastern Pigeon Hawk Falco columbarius columbarius is the medium dark bird, breeding 
in the forest sections throughout Canada, except on the Pacific coast. Richardson’s 
Merlin Falco columbarius richardsoni is a pale extreme, nesting on the prairies; the 
Black Merlin Falco columbarius suckleyi is a dark form of the west coast. In migration, 
both Richardson’s and the Black Merlin occasionally wander into the interior valleys of 
southern British Columbia, and the Eastern Pigeon Hawk occurs commonly within the 
ranges of both the others. 
Richardson’s Merlin is very distinct from the Eastern subspecies, 
being very considerably paler and more like the Old World Merlin Falco 
aesalon than the Eastern Pigeon Hawk Falco columbarius columbarius. The 
blue of the back of the adult male may be described as gull-blue, being the 
same pearly shade as the mantle of some of those birds. Below, the strip- 
ings are pale, rather soft instead of sharp, and the white or cream ground 
plainly predominates. The back of the juvenile is light brown with blended 
rusty-ochre feather edges, giving a soft colour-effect like wet sand, instead 
of dark mud. Although the distinction from columbarius is not so great 
below, the darks never predominate over the whites, creams, or ochres of 
the ground colour. Probably the most distinctive character of this race is 
the crown: that of the Eastern Pigeon Hawk is always decidedly dark, 
having the effect of dark brown feathers with faintly lighter edgings; in 
Richardson’s Merlin, the crown is lighter, having an effect of rusty-ochre 
feathers with soft, dark median lines. 
In the Black Merlin, all the dark colours are sootier, and more exten- 
sive. The back of the adult male is much like that of the Eastern Pigeon 
Hawk, but blacker, and that of the juvenile is nearly black instead of dark 
brown. Below, in all plumages, the dark stripes are deeper in colour, 
broader and sharper in outline, and predominate over the lighter ground. 
The throat is generally plainly streaked instead of immaculate. The pattern 
of the first primary is usually a good test for this subspecies. In the Eastern 
Pigeon Hawk, the light barrings are sharp and clear, and extend right to 
the outer edge of the vane; in the Black Merlin, they are smaller, sometimes 
almost lacking, and do not run to the edge of the web (Figure 232). 
In courage and spirit, this species is a miniature of the Peregrine Falcon, 
but it is more of a woodland bird, and is usually seen under less falconine 
conditions, dashing about the edges of copses, more like a Sharp-shinned 
Hawk, but when observed in straight-away flight in the open, its Falcon 
characters are plain. 
Of 51 stomachs examined, 2 contained young chickens; 41, small 
birds; 2, mice; and 16, insects. It is apparent from this record that the 
Pigeon Hawk is destructive to small birds, and on occasions will take small 
poultry. Though more common than the larger Falcons, it is still far from 
numerous; this, together with its natural wariness, prevents it from becom- 
ing a serious pest to the poultryman. It often follows the Shore Bird 
flocks on migration, and seems particularly fond of the Black-bellied Plover. 
Though, individually, it has considerable possibility of harm to wild life, 
the species as a whole has little economic effect. 
91054—14 
