What common misconception exists about the merlin's training capability?

The belief that the merlin cannot be taught to wait-on is a common misconception. In fact, merlins can be trained to exhibit this behavior, where they perch and scan for prey before making a move. This training requires an understanding of the bird's natural instincts and behaviors, as well as patience and skill from the falconer. The misconception likely arises from the merlin’s smaller size and its status as a relatively fast-flying bird, which may lead some to underestimate its trainability. Though it may be more challenging than training some larger birds of prey, it is entirely possible to train a merlin to wait-on effectively, utilizing its impressive agility and hunting skills.

The other options reflect various beliefs about the challenges of training a merlin, such as retrieving capabilities or hunting larger prey, but do not accurately portray the bird's ability to be trained for these tasks. The notion that it is difficult to keep a merlin in captivity can also be misleading, as with proper care and environment, these birds can adapt well to captivity.