What is this guy?

[MacUser2]

It was a miserable day (constant drizzle) and I was passing through Las Vegas, New Mexico and decided to make a short detour to a nearby wildlife refuge. Other than a couple of Red Wing Black Birds there was not much to shoot until I spotted this guy. Not a great shot, but an interesting pose. Can anybody identify him? The dead tree he was perched on was the only thing taller than 15' and the sky was really this color.

 

[James Erickson]

If it was about the size of a Kestrel, it was probably a Merlin...do you have more photos from different angles?

 

[MacUser2]

He took off just after I grabbed the shot

 

[bgbgbgbgbg]

Looks like a prairie falcon. Merlin's tail would have much heavier banding.

 

[steelhead3]

My guess would be a juvi sharpie

 

[Paul B Jones]

Looks like a prairie falcon. Merlin's tail would have much heavier banding.

Yes, that is my vote too. Largish head, distinct facial markings, and long tail point to a falcon. Yellow base to bill indicates adult. Tan colour leaves two options - Prairie Falcon and the western, lighter form of Merlin (female). The bird does not appear quite as robust as one would expect in a Prairie Falcon, but I think that is a trick of the angle of the shot. The lightly barred tail, as astutely noted by bgbgbgbgbg, confirms as Prairie.

 

[MacUser2]

Thank you.

You guys really know your birds!

 

[PeteQuad]

For bird identification, I would suggest birdforum.com - there is a bird identification forum on there dedicated to it. Not to suggest that the folks here are not good, its just that's all they do over there and you will pretty quickly get definitive answers.

 

[PeteQuad]

Sorry, I meant birdforum.net

 

[Paul B Jones]

Thank you.

You guys really know your birds!

Evidence of a misspent youth.

 

[olmail]

Thank you.

You guys really know your birds!

Evidence of a misspent youth.

--
Paul B Jones

so, i'm misspending my old age?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulbjones/sets

 

[Rob1st]

It looks like a Merlin to me as well. Although it could be a juvi Harris, but I'm not sure if they're common in that part of the country.

Rob