Wildlife Garden DecoBird Little Owl 20.9 cm hand-carved & hand-painted

At a glance

• large hand-carved and hand-painted merlin
• Model: Merlin (Falco columbarius)
• Europe's smallest falcon
• perched on a wooden tree stump
• detailed brown and grey plumage
• hand-painted with water-based paint
• Height: 20.9 cm
• Weight: approx. 348 g
• for indoor use
• includes booklet with information about the bird species

Product details

• Brand: Wildlife Garden
• Series: DecoBird
• Bird species: Merlin
• Scientific name: Falco columbarius
• Item number: WG462
• EAN: 7350054763127
• Material: hand-carved wood
• Painting: water-based paint
• Length: 20.5 cm
• Width: 7.8 cm
• Height: 20.9 cm
• Weight: approx. 348 g
• Use: indoor
• Other: booklet with information about the bird species

A small falcon with the charisma of a bird of prey

The merlin is the smallest falcon in Europe. However, "small" in this bird's case by no means implies it is inconspicuous. Its compact body, upright posture, and typical falcon head make it immediately clear that this is a bird of prey.

Wildlife Garden places it on a carved tree stump. From there, the merlin keeps a watchful eye on its surroundings – a calm pose that fits very well with the concentrated appearance of a hunting falcon.

The merlin – Falco columbarius

The merlin is a small, compactly built falcon. Internationally, it is known to many bird enthusiasts by its English name, "Merlin".

Unlike larger birds of prey often seen circling in the sky, the merlin hunts very dynamically. Wildlife Garden describes how it flies low over the ground while hunting.

Its prey consists mainly of smaller birds, which it pursues with speed and agility.

Speed instead of size

When it comes to the merlin, it is not body size that is decisive, but its flight performance. It is a fast and agile flyer and can be surprisingly energetic when hunting.

It is precisely this contrast that makes the species interesting: Europe's smallest falcon still possesses all the typical characteristics of a specialized bird of prey.

On a carved tree stump

Wildlife Garden did not just carve the bird itself for the merlin. The figure sits on a tree stump that is also made of wood.

This creates a much larger and more cohesive figure than many smaller DecoBirds that simply stand on their feet.

The tree stump gives the falcon a natural elevated position and a stable base at the same time.

20.9 cm high and 348 grams in weight

At 20.5 × 7.8 × 20.9 cm, the merlin is one of the larger DecoBirds. The weight is also particularly important here: the figure weighs around 348 g.

This is difficult to estimate from a product photo. 348 g gives the merlin significantly more substance than the series' small songbirds.

It is therefore very well suited as a single figure on a sideboard, bookshelf, desk, or dresser.

Hand-carved and hand-painted

Wildlife Garden hand-carves the merlin from wood and then paints the figure with water-based paints.

For a bird of prey, the plumage pattern requires special attention. Instead of large, bright areas of color, numerous shades of brown, grey, and cream as well as fine markings define its appearance.

Due to the artisanal production, small differences in wood grain, carving, and painting may occur. They are part of the figure's individual character.

For indoor use

For our current product description, we list the DecoBird Merlin as a decorative figure for indoor use, in line with the current focus of the DecoBird series.

Due to the carved tree stump, the height of 20.9 cm, and the weight of 348 g, it requires a little more space than the small DecoBirds. In return, the merlin works excellently as a standalone decorative object.

With information about the bird species

Included with the DecoBird is a booklet with information about the merlin. In this way, Wildlife Garden once again combines the hand-carved wooden figure with knowledge about the real bird that served as the model.

My assessment

For me, the merlin belongs in a different category than the small tits, finches, or the robin. At nearly 21 cm high and 348 g, you really get a substantial wooden figure here.

I especially like the tree stump. It is not just a base, but an integral part of the figure's design that gives the falcon its elevated, watchful position.

And here, too, Wildlife Garden does not make the mistake of having to portray a bird of prey as artificially dramatic. The merlin just sits there and observes. The typical falcon head, the posture, and the detailed plumage are more than enough to show what kind of bird is standing in front of you.