This was one, way cool falcon and only the second I have ever seen in person. A captive bird used for educational purposes by HawkQuest , it was quite cooperative as it sat perched in a wooded area with some cool, red, fall foliage behind it.

Aplomado falcons are arguably North America’s most endangered raptor. Once found across much of the southwestern United States and Mexico, habitat loss and historical use of DDT and other insecticides have taken an extraordinary toll on these birds.

Small populations still exist and there are some signs of recovery but it will be a long, slow road to get their numbers up to where they should be.