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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LauraL" data-source="post: 1659444" data-attributes="member: 61147">I realize I am a little late in this discussion, but I only just came on it while looking for Bosque del Apache threads. I didn't see anyone mention the possibility that this bird could be an Aplomado falcon. I was at the Bosque del Apache in early October and saw a pair of Aplomado falcons. I wouldn't have believed it myself because they are very rare, but I got a fantastic view of them in my spotting scope and I got to look at  them for over 10 minutes. Our ID was also confirmed by another pair of birders. I contacted the Bosque office to see if they knew about these birds. They were aware of them already and were interested in knowing where the falcons were hanging out that day. At least one of the birds was banded so someone was keeping track of them. From your picture I could not exclude the possibility that your bird was an Aplomado falcon. They are roughly the same size as a Peregrine, but they have slimmer wings and a longer tail and an overall slimmer appearance, which could give the impression you had of it being a bit small for a Peregrine. From underneath without a really close, good look these birds could look similar, especially if the Aplomado falcons were juveniles. The ones I saw still had a little juvenile streaking on the breast which could make it look even more similar to the Peregrine from below. The angle of your picture is such that I think the tail length cannot be properly judged. You may have a better memory of how the tail looked. You may never be able to ID this bird to your satisfaction. I certainly couldn't exclude that it is a Peregrine, but it might actually be an Aplomado falcon. It wouldn't be a totally wild possibility because those birds have been there this autumn. Here is a link about the reintroduction of the Aplomado falcons in NM in case you are interested.<a href="http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Socorro_Field_Office/features/rare_falcons_back.html" target="_blank">http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Socorro_Field_Office/features/rare_falcons_back.html</a></blockquote>

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