2018—Merlin

No, not Merlin the Magician of the King Arthur legends.  I’m talking about Merlin the falcon,  one of the smallest raptors, about the size of a robin, and only slightly larger than the American Kestrel which is the smallest falcon.   This Merlin came under the care of the California Foundation for Birds of Prey a couple of years ago with a broken wing after being trapped in a barbed wire fence.  It is now an education bird for CFBP.  Damage to the bird’s foot, a missing talon, is clearly visible.  His diminutive size is apparent as he perches on the gloved hand of Kim, his diminutive female handler.