Benjamin

(Mod edit for forum rules violations) I'm sorry.

I'm switching my vote to Coop

Obviously not useful to separate against Canyon Wren or Cactus, but Bewick's is generally more a bird of riparian or suburban areas than strictly desert.

While Brown-crested is certainly possible in the valley during that time of year, in all likelihood this is Ash-throated.

Yes, likely a first year bird

Rusty is a bird of eastern wetlands, marshes, and forest streams. Brewer's is one of western fields, agricultural lands, and farms.

I'm for Sharp-shinned.

Its a Summer. Hepatic is more of a montane bird (abundant in the sky islands and throughout southern AZ), and though definitely not impossible in Tucson, Summer should be your default.

Yes- Cassin's. They seem to be having a bit of an irruption year.

Right, of course that is true, but the comment from that individual was that they felt strongly it was a RLHA, not that it wasn't a BWHA. Regardless, it's a bit irrelevant and was just an offhanded 'FWIW'.

I don't know how worthwhile my personal opinion to the ID of the bird would be here, so I'll refrain from giving it. But FWIW if the hawk watcher is from Vera Cruz, chances are he/she does not see RLHA often. That said, I'm very interested to hear why@Tony Leukering thinks this is a BWHA

Merlin and Great Horned Owl

I think this is a Cooper's, but really, this is not identifiable from this single photo.

Coop

Yup