How readily can a merlin be taught to wait-on?

The statement that a merlin cannot be taught to wait-on at all reflects the species' natural behavior and typical training challenges associated with these birds. Merlins are high-energy falcons known for their quick and agile flight, often hunting by chasing down their prey rather than utilizing a technique like waiting-on, where a bird stays perched in anticipation of a target.

In falconry, teaching a bird to wait-on involves training it to sit still and remain alert until it spots prey, which can require a considerable level of patience and adaptability from the bird. Merlins, however, are not naturally inclined to engage in this behavior, as they are more predisposed to actively pursue their prey. Their instinctual hunting style and high activity levels make it nearly impossible to instill a wait-on technique effectively.

Other options suggest varying degrees of difficulty in the training process, but they overlook the inherent behavioral traits of the merlin that make it unsuitable for this type of training. Therefore, the assertion that a merlin cannot be taught to wait-on aligns with its natural instincts and typical challenges encountered in falconry with this species.