Crested Caracara
Caracara cheriway
Northern Caracara

Description 20-22" (51-56 cm). W. 4' (1.2 m). A large, long-legged, hawk-like bird with rounded wings. Dark brown with black cap and bare red face; throat, neck, and base of tail white; tip of tail has black band. In flight, shows large white patches near wing tips. Often seen on the ground.

Endangered Status The Audubon's Crested Caracara, a subspecies of the Crested Caracara, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as threatened in Florida. These birds need large, open-country territories, and the conversion of habitat to citrus orchards and tree plantations and the loss of habitat to residential and commercial development has caused their numbers to drop. Caracaras are slow reproducers and have not been able to rebound quickly. Increasing numbers have been killed by automobiles as traffic in Florida reaches an all-time high. Nearly all of the known Audubon's Crested Caracaras live on private lands, which do not come under federal protection. The only hope for the subspecies is the mainenance of its remaining habitat.

Voice High, harsh cackle.

Habitat Prairies, savannas, desert scrub, and seashores.

Nesting 2 or 3 white eggs, with heavy brown spots and blotches, in a nest of twigs, grasses, weeds, and briars lined with leaves and moss; usually in palmettos or live oaks, rarely on the ground.

Range Resident in southern Arizona, southern Texas, southwestern Louisiana (rare), and central and southern Florida. Also in American tropics.

Discussion The national bird of Mexico, this scavenger has probably the most varied diet of any bird of prey. It often accompanies and dominates vultures at fresh kills or carrion and also eats small animals. It is primarily a ground-inhabiting falcon of open prairies, with long legs that enable it to walk and run with ease.

Seasonal Distribution