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Merlin - Falco columbarius Linnaeus, 1758
Quick facts
| Threat status Europe | Least Concern (IUCN) |
|---|---|
| EU Population status |
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| Protected by | EU Birds Directive and 6 other international agreements |
| Natura 2000 sites | 1115 are designated for this species |
| Breeding habitats |
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| Wintering habitats |
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| Natura 2000 species code | A098 |
Distribution
The distribution map is currently disabled. A new map solution will soon become available. In the meantime, please consult other species distribution map providers listed in the Other resources panel below.
Threat and EU population status
IUCN Red List status of threatened species
The IUCN Red List threat status assesses the risk of extinction.
EU population status
The status of the population at the EU level was evaluated at the species level; this was based on the reports delivered by Member States under Article 12 of the Birds Directive (see fact sheet below). The EU status assessment can cover several subspecies/subspecific population units. For more information, please consult the species fact sheet and link below.
Natura 2000 sites
Protected in the following Natura 2000 sites
Protected sites
Please note the site map takes a while to display.Legal status
Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements
Common names and synonyms
Common Name
 |
Language
|
Reference
|
|---|---|---|
| Ampuhaukka | Finnish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Drzemlik | Polish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Dværgfalk | Danish | EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC |
| Esmerejón | Spanish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Esmerilhão | Portuguese | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Esmerilhão-comum | Portuguese | EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC |
| Faucon émerillon | French | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Kis sólyom | Hungarian | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Merlin | English | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Merlin | German | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Purva piekuns | Latvian | Latvian NRC |
| Smelleken | Dutch | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Smeriglio | Italian | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Stenfalk | Swedish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
Other resources
| CoL (accepted name) | Catalogue of Life |
| EBCC Atlas of breeding birds | European Bird Census Council's Atlas of Breeding Birds |
| EURing code:03090 | European bird-ringing |
| EoL | Encyclopedia of Life |
| Fauna Europaea | Fauna Europaea |
| GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
| ITIS (Valid name) | Interagency Taxonomic Information System |
| NCBI | National Center for Biotechnology Information |
| PESI (Accepted) | Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure |
| Species+ | Species+ by UNEP-WCMC |
| Wikipedia | Wikipedia |
| WoRMS | World Register of Marine Species |
External data
Population distribution from "Birds in Europe" editions 1 and 2
These publications present a thorough and detailed review of the conservation status of European birds. Based on detailed breeding and wintering population data collected in each country, the report provides a review of the population sizes and trends of Species of European Conservation Concern.
1
| Country | Biogeographic region | Min / Max (Units) | Period | Status | Quality | Source | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | 250/999 (individuals) | 1994-2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Austria | 100/300 (individuals) | 1998-2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Belarus | 0/49 (individuals) | 1997-2002 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Belarus | 300/350 (pairs) | 1997-2002 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Bulgaria | 100/500 (individuals) | 1998-2002 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Croatia | 50/100 (individuals) | 2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Cyprus | 20/50 (individuals) | 1994-2002 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Czech Republic | 50/100 (individuals) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Denmark | 50/150 (individuals) | 1999-2000 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Estonia | 1/10 (individuals) | 1998 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Estonia | 10/20 (pairs) | 1998 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Finland | 2000/3000 (pairs) | 1998-2002 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Finland | 100/500 (individuals) | 1998-2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Greece | 100/300 (individuals) | 1995-2000 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Hungary | 400/700 (individuals) | 2000-2002 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Iceland | 1000/2000 (pairs) | 1978-1994 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Iceland | 10/100 (individuals) | 1998 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Ireland | 110/130 (pairs) | 1988-1991 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Latvia | 10/30 (pairs) | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Latvia | 0/15 (individuals) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Lithuania | 50/249 (individuals) | 1992-2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Lithuania | 5/10 (pairs) | 1999-2001 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Luxembourg | 1/3 (individuals) | 2000-2002 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Macedonia (FYR) | 50/60 (individuals) | 1999-2000 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Moldova, Republic of | 10/30 (individuals) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Netherlands | 500/1000 (individuals) | 2000 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Norway | 2500/6500 (pairs) | 2002 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Poland | 250/999 (individuals) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Portugal | Present/Present (individuals) | 2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Romania | 400/1500 (individuals) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Russian Federation | 20000/30000 (pairs) | 1994-2000 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Slovakia | 100/350 (individuals) | 1990-1999 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Slovenia | 2/10 (individuals) | 1995-2000 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Sweden | 4200/5700 (pairs) | 1999-2000 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Switzerland | 20/50 (individuals) | 1998-2002 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| Ukraine | 1500/2000 (individuals) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 | |
| United Kingdom | 1300/1300 (pairs) | 1990-1994 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004-01-01 |
Population trends from "Birds in Europe" editions 1 and 2
These publications present a thorough and detailed review of the conservation status of European birds. Based on detailed breeding and wintering population data collected in each country, the report provides a review of the population sizes and trends of Species of European Conservation Concern.
1
| Country | Biogeographic region | Period | Status | Trend | Quality | Source | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Austria | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Fluctuating : 80 % | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Belarus | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Belarus | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Bulgaria | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Croatia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Cyprus | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 9% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Czech Republic | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Decreasing between 20% to 29% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Denmark | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Estonia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Decreasing between 50% to 79% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Estonia | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Decreasing between 50% to 79% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Finland | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Finland | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Greece | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Fluctuating between 30% to 49% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Hungary | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Iceland | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Iceland | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Ireland | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Latvia | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Decreasing between 30% to 49% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Latvia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Fluctuating | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Lithuania | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Lithuania | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Fluctuating between 20% to 29% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Luxembourg | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Fluctuating | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Macedonia (FYR) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Moldova, Republic of | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Netherlands | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Decreasing between 20% to 29% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Norway | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Poland | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Portugal | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Romania | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Decreasing between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Russian Federation | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Slovakia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Slovenia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Fluctuating between 0% to 100% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Sweden | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Decreasing between 0% to 9% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Switzerland | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Ukraine | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| United Kingdom | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing : 117 % | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 |
