Crested Caracara
Caracara plancus
Meet the Crested Caracara
The Crested Caracara is a striking bird of prey native to the Americas, easily recognized by its bold black cap, white neck, and orange facial skin. Unlike most falcons, it often walks on the ground, scavenging for carrion but also actively hunting small animals and insects. It inhabits open and semi-open landscapes such as savannas, grasslands, and scrublands, where it is often seen perched on fence posts or soaring low over the land. Social and opportunistic, the Crested Caracara is known for its intelligence and adaptability, allowing it to thrive in a variety of environments.
Wikipedia Data 🎥 6 Videos 📚 4 Sources Classification
Bird
Habitat
Open country, grasslands, savannas, and scrublands
Diet
Omnivore
Lifespan
12-20 years
Conservation
Least Concern
Weight
0.9-1.6 kg
📖Fascinating Facts
Ground Forager
Unlike most falcons, the Crested Caracara often walks on the ground to find food, using its strong legs to cover large distances on foot.
National Symbol
The Crested Caracara is featured on the Mexican coat of arms and is sometimes mistaken for the true 'eagle' in Aztec legend.
Opportunistic Feeder
Caracaras eat a wide variety of food, including carrion, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and even fruit, making them highly adaptable.
📋Detailed Description
The Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) is a large, robust raptor, measuring 49–58 cm (19–23 in) in length with a wingspan of 120–132 cm (47–52 in) and weighing between 800–1,350 g (1.8–3.0 lbs). Its plumage is distinctive: adults display a striking contrast of dark brownish-black upperparts and a white neck and lower breast, with fine black barring on the chest and belly. The head features a prominent black crest, giving the species its common name, and bare facial skin that ranges from deep orange to yellow, intensifying during breeding season. The beak is heavy, hooked, and pale bluish at the base, adapted for tearing flesh. Unlike most falcons, the Crested Caracara often walks or runs on the ground, aided by long, strong legs and talons. Its flight is steady and direct, with broad, rounded wings and a relatively short tail. Juveniles are browner overall, with buffy streaks and a less pronounced crest. This species is highly adaptable, occupying a wide range of habitats from open grasslands and savannas to marshes, agricultural fields, and even urban edges. It is both a scavenger and a predator, displaying opportunistic feeding habits. Socially, Crested Caracaras are often seen alone, in pairs, or in loose groups, especially at abundant food sources. Their vocalizations include guttural calls and rattling sounds, often given during displays or aggressive encounters.
💡 Did you know?
Despite being a falcon species, the Crested Caracara often acts more like a vulture, frequently feeding on carrion and even displacing vultures at carcasses.
🔬Research & Sources
Wikipedia Summary
The crested caracara is a bird of prey (raptor) in the falcon family, Falconidae. It was formerly placed in the genus Polyborus before being given in its own genus, Caracara. It is native to and found in the southern and southeastern United States, Mexico and the majority of mainland Latin America, as well as some Caribbean islands. The crested caracara is quite adaptable and hardy, for a species found predominantly in the neotropics; it can be found in a range of environments and ecosystems, including semi-arid and desert climates, maritime or coastal areas, subtropical and tropical forests, temperate regions, plains, swamps, and even in urban areas. Documented, albeit rare, sightings have occurred as far north as Minnesota and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Prince Edward Island. The southern extent of the crested caracara's distribution can reach as far as Tierra del Fuego and Magallanes Region, Chile.
Last Modified: 6/9/2025
🎭Behavior & Social Structure
Crested Caracaras are diurnal and spend much of their day foraging, often walking on the ground in search of food. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming carrion, insects, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, eggs, and occasionally fruit. Unlike most falcons, they frequently displace vultures and other scavengers from carcasses using assertive behavior and agility. Caracaras may follow fires, farm machinery, or livestock to exploit disturbed prey. They are known for their intelligence, using problem-solving skills to access food, and have been observed turning over objects or opening containers. Social interactions are complex; while often solitary, they may gather in small groups at rich food sources or communal roosts. Territorial pairs defend nesting areas vigorously, using aerial displays and vocalizations. Daily routines include periods of perched vigilance, ground foraging, and soaring flight, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
👶Reproduction & Life Cycle
Crested Caracaras are generally monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds. Breeding season varies geographically, spanning from December to April in the southern range and January to June in the north. Courtship involves aerial displays, mutual preening, and vocalizations. Nests are large platforms of sticks, often lined with softer materials, and are placed in tall trees, palms, or occasionally on the ground or artificial structures. Clutch size is typically 2–3 eggs, which are pale buff with reddish-brown blotches. Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 28–32 days. After hatching, both adults feed the chicks, which fledge at 8–9 weeks but may remain dependent for several more weeks. Caracaras may reuse and refurbish old nests in subsequent years.
🛡️Adaptations & Survival
The species exhibits several adaptations for its scavenging and predatory lifestyle. Its strong, hooked beak is well-suited for tearing tough flesh, while robust legs and feet allow efficient terrestrial locomotion and manipulation of food. The bare facial skin may help reduce bacterial contamination when feeding on carrion. Behavioral flexibility is a key adaptation: Caracaras exploit a wide variety of food sources and habitats, including human-altered landscapes. Their intelligence and problem-solving abilities enable them to access novel food resources. The broad wings and steady flight facilitate soaring over open areas in search of food, while cryptic juvenile plumage provides camouflage during the vulnerable fledgling stage.
📚Research Sources
🎨Cultural Significance
The Crested Caracara holds cultural significance in several Latin American countries. In Mexico, it is known as the 'Mexican eagle' and is featured on some versions of the national emblem, although the official symbol is a Golden Eagle. In folklore, the caracara is often associated with bravery, adaptability, and opportunism. In the southern United States, it is sometimes called the 'Mexican buzzard' or 'Audubon's caracara.' Its striking appearance and bold behavior have made it a subject of indigenous stories and a symbol of resilience in changing landscapes.
🔬Recent Research & Discoveries
Recent research has focused on the Crested Caracara's expanding range in the United States, particularly in Florida and Texas, where populations are increasing and adapting to agricultural and suburban environments. Genetic studies have clarified its taxonomic status, confirming that the North and South American populations are conspecific, despite some morphological variation. Behavioral studies highlight its problem-solving abilities, tool use, and complex social interactions at carcasses. Ongoing research is examining its role in ecosystem functioning as both a scavenger and predator, and its interactions with other scavenging species. Satellite tracking projects are revealing details of its movement ecology and habitat use.
🎥Wildlife Videos
New Born Caiman Are No Match For The Crested Caracara Birds | Wildest Latin America
Watch as these new born caiman crocodiles hatch from their eggs, and battle to stay alive with predators lurking around every ...
Discovery UK
How the Crested Caracara Finds Hidden Prey
Discover the incredible hunting abilities of the Crested Caracara, a majestic bird of prey known for its intelligence and adaptability!
Animal Insights
50 Facts About Crested Caracara Birds 🦅.
50 Facts About Crested Caracara Birds #birdslover #beautifulbirds #birdsounds #relaxingbirdsounds #birds #nature ...
Birds Beauty Channel
THE CRESTED CARACARA: THE CLEAVER PREDATOR OF THE SKIES.
Caracaras," a group of raptors in the falcon family known for their intelligence and scavenging habits. One of the most famous is ...
Wildlife Journal
Why Young Caracaras Form Gangs
Young caracaras band together and join gangs for the first years of their lives. Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed it!
Nature on PBS
Caracara facts: the bird like many others | Animal Fact Files
Caracaras look like they might be a cross between a crown and a hawk but then act like vultures, but they aren't any of these birds ...
Animal Fact Files
🌍Habitat Information
The Crested Caracara typically inhabits Open country, grasslands, savannas, and scrublands environments. Crested Caracaras have adapted to their environments with specialized features and behaviors.
Primary Habitat:
Open country, grasslands, savannas, and scrublands
More detailed habitat information will be available soon.
🛡️Conservation Status
The Crested Caracara is currently classified as Least Concern. Conservation efforts are crucial for preserving this species for future generations.
Common Threats:
- 🏠Habitat loss and fragmentation
- 🌡️Climate change impacts
- 🎯Hunting and poaching
- 🏭Human-wildlife conflict
⚠️Threats & Conservation Challenges
Currently, the Crested Caracara is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with stable or increasing populations in much of its range. However, local threats include habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, urbanization, and wetland drainage. Persecution by humans, particularly in areas where they are mistakenly blamed for livestock predation, can impact local populations. Road mortality is a risk due to their scavenging behavior on highways. Pesticide use may reduce prey availability or cause secondary poisoning. In some regions, competition with expanding vulture populations or changes in carrion availability may pose challenges. Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation and public education.
🔬Scientific Classification
Scientific Name
Caracara plancus
Classification Hierarchy
🔍 About Taxonomic Classification
Taxonomic classification is a hierarchical system used by scientists to classify and organize living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
The system moves from broad categories (Kingdom) to increasingly specific ones, with each animal's scientific name typically consisting of its Genus and species.
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