Shoehorn Merlin

About the merlin:

The merlin is Europe’s smallest falcon. It is sometimes confused with the sparrow hawk but the merlin’s wings are narrower and more pointed. The merlin is a highly skilled flyer and can be seen sweeping low across the ground when hunting. Sometimes, it reuses old nests from other birds such as crows, other times it nests directly on the ground. It is a quiet bird of prey and is rarely heard calling.