caracara
1. Bird Name
The bird under consideration is known as Caracara or more commonly as Crested Caracara (English name). Its scientific name is Caracara plancus.
2. Appearance
Crested Caracaras are large, long legged birds with robust bodies approximately the size of a large hawk. They have black to dark brown feathers covering most of the body, with a stripe of white feathers along the neck and another bigger one around the tail. The upper chest and neck feathers appear finely barred. Their beak is stout and hooked, perfectly designed for their feeding habits. They possess a distinctive, pale blue-gray facial skin which contrasts with their yellow-orange beak and eyes. The Crested Caracaras have strong legs and talons that are yellow in color. Both males and females appear similar, though males are slightly larger.
3. Size
The Crested Caracara on average measures about 50 to 65 cm (20 to 26 inches) in length. Their wingspan usually spans between 120 to 130 cm (47 to 51 inches) and weight typically ranges from 0.9 to 1.6 kg (2 to 3.5 lbs.)
4. Habitat & Distribution
Crested Caracaras are found in North, Central, and South America. In North America, they inhabit Texas, Florida, and Arizona. They prefer lowland habitats like open grasslands, savanna, scrub, ranches and even desert areas. One can also find them in proximity to water, like marshes and river edges.
5. Interesting Facts
Unlike many birds of prey, caracaras are omnivorous and are also seen scavenging for food and cleaning up carcasses, which contributes to their nickname as the “Mexican Eagle”. They are ground foragers often seen walking and even running in search for their food. They’re monogamous birds who maintain family units where youngsters help look after younger siblings.
6. Diet
Caracaras have a diverse diet reflecting their opportunistic feeding habits. They prey on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, eggs, and insects. They also eat carrions and are known to feed on plant matter such as fruit.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Crested Caracaras spend a lot of time on the ground scavenging, walking or running gracefully with their long legs. They’re known to be bold, often driving away other scavengers. The call they make is a distinct low and raspy croak, quite unlike typical raptors.
8. Conservation Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Crested Caracara is currently of “Least Concern” due to its large range and population size.
9. Lifespan
The Crested Caracara has an average lifespan of 8-10 years in the wild, although some have been recorded to live up to 25 years in captivity.
10. Additional Notes
In Spanish, the Caracara is often called “Carancho”. The bird is a part of folklore and mythology in some indigenous cultures. In conditions of wildfires, they’ve been seen carrying burning sticks to unburnt areas, possibly to drive out prey – a reported example of tool use. Their role in ecosystem includes being both predators and scavengers, helping control rodent population while also cleaning up carcasses and aiding in nutrient recycling. They have had a mixed relationship with humans – sometimes considered pests by ranchers due to occasional predation on poultry. However, they have been more appreciated in recent years for their scavenging role in managing roadkill and other carcasses.
