Falco mexicanus
December 30, 1997: San Rafael Grasslands, Santa Cruz County, AZ
After seeing so many harriers, this bird was immediately recognizable as different. Obviously a falcon, very light in color, with dark markings under the wing. We watched the bird reasonably close as it flew over the prairie before moving into the distance. A lovely sighting!
January 1, 2005 Canyon Green, San Ramon, CA
I didn’t realize that this wasn’t a Kestrel or some other more commonly seen bird until looking at my photos later in the day. But the dark “armpit” is easy to see.
May 6, 2007: Nevada Highway 80, Lander County, NV
This bird was a treat! We’d pulled off the road to get some breakfast, and I caught a glimpse of this bird as it sped by me. Not a long look, but enough to get an ID. Only the third time in my life I’ve seen one.
September 10, 2010: Kelso Dunes, San Bernardino County, CA
I spotted a falcon that wasn’t a kestrel over the desert, and this seems like the most likely species to have seen.
Let me know what you think!