The bird featured in this jigsaw puzzle is a Merlin falcon (Falco columbarius). Small and predatory, this blue-gray falcon is native to the Northern Hemisphere and is frequently called the pigeon hawk in North America.
Merlin falcons generally populate open territories like grasslands and prairies avoiding heavy forest and desert-like terrains. However, during migration they travel south and will inhabit any environment.
Fast and agile aerial hunters, Merlin falcons regularly prey on small and medium-size birds. However, they can attack larger birds like the sandpiper for food. Mated pairs often hunt together in a unified assault. Once used in falconry, these fierce birds aggressively attack other raptors and occasionally chase trains and cars.
Jigsaw puzzle subject image credit: Special thanks to Edd deane for making the photograph used for this jigsaw puzzle available through the Creative Commons Attribution license. Visit Edd deane's Flickr photostream.
See all jigsaw puzzles based on Edd deane's photographs.
Category: Birds
