A Feeding Merlin Perched on a Tree Stump Holds Prey Under Its Talons - Raptors, But No Owls - Corey Raffel

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Copyright © 2026 Corey Raffel Wildlife Photography

Raptors, But No Owls

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A pair of peregrine falcons perched on a rocky outcrop under a clear blue sky.A Pair of Peregrine Falcons on Rocky Outcrop
A Female Peregrine Falcon Is Caught in FlightA Female Peregrine Falcon Is Caught in Flight
A male Peregrine Falcon flies in to mate with his perched mate.A male Peregrine Falcon flies in to mate with his perched mate.
A male Peregrine Falcon is Caught in FlightA male Peregrine Falcon is Caught in Flight
A Female Peregrine Carries a Bonaparte's Gull to Her Nest Cave as Food for Her NestlingsA Female Peregrine Carries a Bonaparte's Gull to Her Nest Cave as Food for Her Nestlings
A Peregrine Falcon Preens a Tail Feather with Her BeakA Peregrine Falcon Preens a Tail Feather with Her Beak
A Prairie Falcon Makes a Banking Turn in FlightA Prairie Falcon Makes a Banking Turn in Flight
A Prairie Falcon Making a Banking Turn with Its Eyes on PreyA Prairie Falcon Making a Banking Turn with Its Eyes on Prey
A Male Snail Kite in Flight Focused on the Marsh Below, Looking for SnailsA Male Snail Kite in Flight Focused on the Marsh Below, Looking for Snails
A Male Snail Kite is Caught in Flight with an Apple Snail in Its TalonsA Male Snail Kite is Caught in Flight with an Apple Snail in Its Talons
A Black-collared Hawk Grabs a Fish from the Water with Its TalonsA Black-collared Hawk Grabs a Fish from the Water with Its Talons
Great Black Hawk in FlightGreat Black Hawk in Flight
A Perched Wedge-tailed EagleA Perched Wedge-tailed Eagle
A Wedge-tailed Eagle PortraitA Wedge-tailed Eagle Portrait
Savanna Hawk in FlightSavanna Hawk in Flight
A Laughing Falcon Is Caught in Flight with Wings SpreadA Laughing Falcon Is Caught in Flight with Wings Spread
A Laughing Falcon Surveys Its Surroundings from Its Perch on a BranchA Laughing Falcon Surveys Its Surroundings from Its Perch on a Branch
A Nakeen Kestrel Glances at the Photographer As She Flies Past, Wings DownA Nakeen Kestrel Glances at the Photographer As She Flies Past, Wings Down
A Female Nankeen Kestrel Gives the Photographer a Glance from Her Perch on a Bush TopA Female Nankeen Kestrel Gives the Photographer a Glance from Her Perch on a Bush Top
A Tawny Eagle Flies with Wings Frozen on the Upstroke.A Tawny Eagle Flies with Wings Frozen on the Upstroke.
A Crested Caracara is Seen in Flight Against a Leafy Green BackgoundA Crested Caracara is Seen in Flight Against a Leafy Green Backgound
An Aplamado Falcon Surveys Its Surroundings from a Perch on Top of a Thorny BushAn Aplamado Falcon Surveys Its Surroundings from a Perch on Top of a Thorny Bush
A Martial Eagle Flies Past, His Eyes Focused on PreyA Martial Eagle Flies Past, His Eyes Focused on Prey
An African Harrier Hawk Tries to Extract Juvenile Weaver Birds from Their Woven HomeAn African Harrier Hawk Tries to Extract Juvenile Weaver Birds from Their Woven Home
An Osprey Takes of from the Water's Surface After Successfully Capturing a Fish in Its TalonsAn Osprey Takes of from the Water's Surface After Successfully Capturing a Fish in Its Talons
An Osprey with Wings Outstretched Is Caught as It Flies PastAn Osprey with Wings Outstretched Is Caught as It Flies Past
An Osprey Leaves the Water with a Fish Firmly Grasped in Its TalonsAn Osprey Leaves the Water with a Fish Firmly Grasped in Its Talons
An African Fish Eagle Is Caught in Flight with Wings SpreadAn African Fish Eagle Is Caught in Flight with Wings Spread
An African Fish Eagle Is Seen in Silhouette at SunsetAn African Fish Eagle Is Seen in Silhouette at Sunset
A Male American Kestrel Is Caught in FlightA Male American Kestrel Is Caught in Flight
A Female American Kestrel Is Caught in FlightA Female American Kestrel Is Caught in Flight
A Female American Kestrel Gives an Over the Shoulder GlanceA Female American Kestrel Gives an Over the Shoulder Glance
A male Northern Harrier Casts a Glance at the Camera as He Flies PastA male Northern Harrier Casts a Glance at the Camera as He Flies Past
A Female Northern Harrier Flies Over Marsh Grass in WinterA Female Northern Harrier Flies Over Marsh Grass in Winter
A Bald Eagle Flies Low Over Shallow WaterA Bald Eagle Flies Low Over Shallow Water
A Feeding Merlin Perched on a Tree Stump Holds Prey Under Its TalonsA Feeding Merlin Perched on a Tree Stump Holds Prey Under Its Talons
A Red-shouldered Hawk Spreads Its Wings for Balance as It Perches on a Dried Reed StalkA Red-shouldered Hawk Spreads Its Wings for Balance as It Perches on a Dried Reed Stalk
A Roadside Hawk Stares Straight Ahead While Perched on a Large Tree BranchA Roadside Hawk Stares Straight Ahead While Perched on a Large Tree Branch
A Portrait of a Bizarrely Beautiful King VultureA Portrait of a Bizarrely Beautiful King Vulture
Copyright © 2026 Corey Raffel Wildlife Photography
A Merlin (Falco columbarius) perches on a weathered tree stump, gripping its freshly caught prey beneath sharp talons. Compact yet fierce, this small falcon is built for speed, using rapid wingbeats and surprise attacks to overtake songbirds in midair. Found across the Northern Hemisphere in open woodlands, grasslands, and coastal areas, Merlins are relentless hunters despite their modest size. The scene captures a rare still moment—intensity and efficiency embodied in one of the most formidable small raptors.
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A Feeding Merlin Perched on a Tree Stump Holds Prey Under Its Talons - Raptors, But No Owls - Corey Raffel
A Merlin (Falco columbarius) perches on a weathered tree stump, gripping its freshly caught prey beneath sharp talons. Compact yet fierce, this small falcon is built for speed, using rapid wingbeats and surprise attacks to overtake songbirds in midair. Found across the Northern Hemisphere in open woodlands, grasslands, and coastal areas, Merlins are relentless hunters despite their modest size. The scene captures a rare still moment—intensity and efficiency embodied in one of the most formidable small raptors.