Here's the female mate to the preceding male Kestrel, Oct 2, 2005.
Mina launching from the nest.  I still have a hard time telling the two apart,  but the most telling difference is,  as with most raptors the female is nearly 1/3 larger than the male. This was also taken during the egg incubation period, when the female maintains the nest pretty much entirely by herself.
Mr. and Mrs. American Wigeons at the Salton Sea, Christmas Day, 2004.
Mina launching from the nest. I still have a hard time telling the two apart, but the most telling difference is, as with most raptors the female is nearly 1/3 larger than the male. This was also taken during the egg incubation period, when the female maintains the nest pretty much entirely by herself.
Mina launching from the nest.  I still have a hard time telling the two apart,  but the most telling difference is,  as with most raptors the female is nearly 1/3 larger than the male. This was also taken during the egg incubation period, when the female maintains the nest pretty much entirely by herself.
Mina launching from the nest. I still have a hard time telling the two apart, but the most telling difference is, as with most raptors the female is nearly 1/3 larger than the male. This was also taken during the egg incubation period, when the female maintains the nest pretty much entirely by herself.
See photo in original gallery.