Red headed Merlin/Turumtee
Falco chicquera (Daudin)

Identification: It is a small gray and white coloured falcon measuring about 31-36 cm. in length, having a chestnut head. The upper parts of the body and upper tail coverts are blue gray, the tail being narrowly barred with black. The back is also strongly barred. The lower side is largely white and sparsely streaked with black on the breast and barred on its flanks and abdomen.

Habitat: It is found in deciduous plains, plateaus, low foothills with trees, near cultivations and villages.

Distribution: It is a resident bird of NWFP, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

Breeding: It breeds chiefly between January to March and lays 3-4 eggs in a clutch.

Food: It feeds upon small birds such as larks, pipits, swallows, wagtails, swifts, warblers, flying insects such as dragon flies, locusts, beetles, etc.

Status: Rare