Refers to the large game fish of the family Istiophoridae. Often used in fishing and culinary contexts.
See also: カジキ (かじき)
I caught a marlin in Hawaii.
Marlin sashimi is a delicacy.
merlin; pigeon hawk
A small falcon (Falco columbarius). Less commonly known than the fish; primarily used in ornithological contexts.
See also: コチョウゲンボウ (こちょうげんぼう)
The merlin is a small falcon.
ハヤブサ refers broadly to falcons in general, whereas マーリン (in its bird sense) names one specific small falcon species, the merlin.
counter for small animals · counter for rolls of cloth · archaic counter for horses · roll of cloth
Borrowed from English 'marlin' (the fish) and 'merlin' (the bird). The same katakana form is used for both due to phonetic similarity.