Carolina Raptor Center - Raptor Species: Crested Caracara

Description: The crested caracara is a medium-sized raptor with bold black and white plumage pattern and bright yellow-orange, an unfeathered face, legs and tarsi. The head is slightly flattened with prominent black cap; the feathers are somewhat elongated to form a "crest." Lower back, abdomen, and wings are brownish black to black. The sides of head, throat, breast, and upper back are buffy white; tips of feathers on upper back and breast horizontally barred and spotted with brownish black. Tail is cream with brownish black bars and broad, dark, terminal band.

Flight: In flight, fully extended wings are held flat, and wing-beats are shallow and steady. It can be distinguished by its regular, powerful wing-beats as it cruises low across the ground or just above the treetops. When searching for live prey, flight is low, sweeping, and harrier-like; pursuits may be long and persistent.

Voice: The crested caracara is mostly silent. They give a loud rasping mechanical sound, like running a stick along a fence, often with head-throwback display (defensive). Sequence is generally Cackle, Rattle, Cackle.

Habitat: Caracaras prefer open habitats, typically grassland, prairie, pastures, or desert with scattered taller trees, shrubs, or cacti in which it nests. May use sparsely wooded areas and brushland if patches of trees are interspersed with expanses of open grassland.

Distribution: Ranges from northern Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, in United States it occurs only along the southern border of Texas, Arizona, and in Florida, where there is an isolated population in the south-central peninsula.

Nesting: Adult pairs are generally monogamous and highly territorial, and exhibit strong site fidelity. Caracaras will actively defend nest territory, particularly within 100 meters of nest. Pair bond maintained year-round, individuals may remain paired for many years. They are the only member of Falconidae that actually collects materials and constructs a nest. Regularly occupies, refurbishes, and reuses old nests or builds new nest in same support structure. Nests in tallest vegetation or tree-like structure commanding wide view. Nests are bulky yet woven, well-constructed structure composed of vines, weed stalks, briars, and twigs. Lay 2 eggs, sometimes 1 or 3, rarely 4. Both sexes incubate, incubation patch present in both sexes, lasting 30-33 days. Fledge between 7-8 weeks. Male and female provide food, but female feeds young more than male. Young continue to be fed by parents until 2-3 months after fledging. Play: siblings frequently seen conducting aerial maneuvers, diving, chasing each other.

Food: Insects; small and occasionally large vertebrates, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals; eggs; and carrion of all types. When prey detected in flight bird wheels around and descends to ground, then walks up to prey. Walks in newly plowed fields behind tractors and alongside cattle pastures, snapping up insects disturbed by activity. Wades in shallow water in search of food. May occasionally hunt cooperatively. Carries food with beak rather than feet; generally captures larger prey with feet, nips it through back of skull, and carries it in talons. Cannot open large carcasses; waits for vultures or heat to effect opening. Will eat any animal matter, alive or dead, that it can catch or find. May be more interested in insects associated with carrion than with actual carcass. Suspected of attacking and killing newborn lambs and goats, for which they have suffered heavy persecution; little evidence to suggest that killing actually occurs.