A tropical falcon that behaves more like a vulture, the crested caracara was once lumped as a single species with its southern cousin, but today is recognized as a distinct raptor. Aztec legends often depicted this colorful bird of prey in positions of prominence, and it is cited as one of the national birds of Mexico, an honor it shares with the golden eagle.

Common Name: Crested Caracara, Northern Caracara, Northern Crested Caracara, Audubon's Caracara, Audubon's Crested Caracara, Mexican Eagle


Scientific Name: Caracara cheriway

Scientific Family: Falconidae

Appearance:

• Bill: Large, thick, white-gray at the tip with a colorful cere and facial skin that can range from blue-gray to orange-yellow to reddish-pink and can change color in seconds depending on the bird's mood
• Size: 20-25 inches long with 46-48-inch wingspan, long legs, long neck, long tail
• Colors: White, buff, brown, black, gray, orange, yellow
• Markings: Genders are similar with a black cap that sharply contrasts with white-buff auriculars, throat and neck. The body is an overall brown-black and shows horizontal barring or scales on the upper breast, sides of the neck and upper back. The undertail coverts are plain buff or white, and the tail is barred black and white with a thick black tip. In flight, the dark wings show a white patch on the primary feathers, though the wingtips are dark. The legs and feet are yellow with black talons.
  
  Juveniles are similar to adults but are more buff-brown overall with less contrast in the plumage. The legs are blue-gray and the face is less colorful.

Foods: Insects, reptiles, amphibians, eggs, birds, mammals, fish, carrion (See: Carnivorous)

Habitat and Migration:

These raptors prefer semi-arid habitats such as open fields, brushland, pastures, prairies and ranches, though they are occasionally found in wetter open habitats as well. Scattered trees, poles or posts are necessary for perching, and these birds will often scavenge at dumps and landfills.

Crested caracaras do not typically migrate, but may be more nomadic during the winter or when food sources are scarce. They are found year-round in extreme southern Arizona and central and southern Texas as well as more rarely in southwestern Louisiana, and their range extends through Mexico and Central America into northern South America from northern Peru and Ecuador to northern Brazil and along the Amazon River. These raptors are also widespread in Cuba, and a small population exists in central Florida.

Vagrant sightings are regularly reported further north than expected, particularly in California and northern Texas.

Vocalizations:

These raptors are generally silent but do have a variety of harsh calls, including a choking rattle, guttural croaks and wheezes. These sounds are most often heard around the nest when mates need to communicate or young birds beg for attention.

Behavior:

These raptors are solitary or may be seen in small family groups, particularly at the end of the nesting season. They walk on the ground while foraging in early morning or late afternoon, and may be seen stealing prey from other birds or intimidating vultures at a carcass, where dozens of crested caracaras may gather to feed. After feeding, they often perch on snags or poles to survey the surrounding area.

In flight, crested caracaras generally stay low and have deep, strong wing beats, though they occasionally soar on thermals.

Reproduction:

These are monogamous birds, and a mated pair will work together to build a bulky nest of sticks and vines lined with finer material, including grasses, weeds and dung. Nests are positioned up to 30 feet above the ground, often in palmettos, mesquite trees or cacti. The eggs are oval-shaped with a slight point at one end, and may be white or pale pink with brown markings. A typical brood has 1-4 eggs, and 1-2 broods may be raised each year.

Both parents share incubation duties for 28-33 days, and after hatching, both will continue to care for the chicks until they leave the nest after 30-60 days. Once the young birds can fly, they continue to get guidance from their parents for several weeks until they disperse to find their own territories and seek out mates.

Attracting Crested Caracaras:

These are not common backyard birds, but if suitable habitat is nearby, they may perch in a snag or on a post. Leaving prey available by minimizing pesticides or rodent mitigation tactics can encourage crested caracaras to stay in the area.

Conservation:

While these raptors are not considered threatened or endangered overall, local populations often suffer from habitat loss and where numbers are severely declining, they may be listed as locally threatened. This is the case with the Florida population.

Similar Birds:

• Southern Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)
• Bateleur (Terathopius ecuadatus)
• Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
• Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis)

Photo – Crested Caracara © Manjith Kainickara
Photo – Crested Caracara – Juvenile © Paul Pruitt
Photo – Crested Caracara Taking Off © Dan Pancamo