Systematics Merlin (bird)

european subspecies aesalon. adult male (front) , female (behind)

in regard, interesting note fossil falcon blancan (4.3–4.8 ma) rexroad formation of kansas. known complete right coracoid (specimen ummp v29107) , tarsometatarsus, tibiotarsus , humerus pieces (v27159, v57508-v57510, v57513-v57514), prehistoric falcon smaller merlin , apparently bit more stout-footed, otherwise quite similar. part of fox canyon , rexroad local fauna s, , may have been ancestor of living merlins or close relative. age quite pre-dating split between eurasian , north american merlins, agrees idea of merlin lineage originating in north america, or rather colonization thereof. after adapting ecological niche, ancient merlins have spread eurasia again, gene flow being interrupted beringia , greenland regions became icebound in quaternary glaciation.

subspecies

that merlin has long-standing presence on both sides of atlantic evidenced degree of genetic distinctness between eurasian , north american populations. arguably, might considered distinct species, gene flow having ceased @ least million years ago, more.

by , large, color variation in either group independently follows gloger s rule. pacific temperate rain forest subspecies suckleyi s males uniformly black on upperside , have heavy black blotches on belly, whereas of lightest subspecies, pallidus, have little non-dilute melanin altogether, grey upperside , reddish underside pattern.

presumably coastal forest merlin (f. c. suckelyi), potter marsh, anchorage (alaska, united states)

american group

falco columbarius columbarius (linnaeus, 1758) – taiga merlin, tundra merlin


canada , northernmost united states east of rocky mountains, except great plains. migratory, winters in s north america, central america, caribbean, , n south america guyanas northern andes foothills. winters in northern usa.


falco columbarius richardsonii (ridgway, 1871) – prairie merlin


great plains alberta wyoming. resident (some winter dispersal).


falco columbarius suckleyi (ridgway, 1873) – coastal forest merlin, black merlin


pacific coast of north america, s alaska n washington state. resident (some altitudinal movements).

eurasian group

falco columbarius/aesalon aesalon (tunstall, 1771)


northern eurasia british isles through scandinavia central siberia. population of northern britain shows evidence of gene flow subaesalon. british isles population resident, rest migratory; winters in europe , mediterranean region iran.


male (presumably f. c./a. pallidus) wintering in little rann of kutch (gujarat, india)



falco columbarius/aesalon subaesalon (c.l. brehm, 1827) – smyril (faroese), smyrill (icelandic)


iceland , faroe islands. latter population has gene flow aesalon. resident (some winter dispersal).


falco columbarius/aesalon pallidus (sushkin, 1900)


asian steppes between aral sea , altay mountains. migratory, winters in s central asia , n south asia.


falco columbarius/aesalon insignis (clark, 1907)


siberia between yenisei , kolyma rivers. migratory, winters in continental east asia.


falco columbarius/aesalon lymani (bangs, 1913)


mountains of eastern kazakhstan , surrounding countries. short-distance migrant.


falco columbarius/aesalon pacificus (stegmann, 1929)


russian far east sakhalin. migratory, winters in japan, korea , nearby.




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