Jan. 7, 3:00pm. Old St Joseph Cemetery, West Price Hill (Cincinnati)

I sat in my car for nearly half an hour watching a male Merlin eating a small bird. After he ate most of the bird, he got to the legs. He was trying to swallow a leg whole, starting at the thigh. It would get as far as the foot sticking out of the Merlin's bill, but no farther. He would gag a bit, reach up with his talons and pull the leg out, then repeat the process. Swallow, gag, pull - over and over again. Finally, he gave up and dropped it. Before he could finish his meal, a group of crows joined him on his tree and started swooping at him. He ignored their antics for a while, then eventually took his leftovers and flew off. Fascinating behavior. 

Kathi Hutton
Clermont County

Sent from iVan II, my iPhone
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