The crested caracara is a large, distinctive raptor found in southern North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean islands. With its long legs, thick neck, unusual head crest, and massive bill, the crested caracara stands out from other birds of prey. But just how rare is this eye-catching bird?
Quick Facts on the Crested Caracara
Here are some key facts about the crested caracara:
- Scientific name: Caracara cheriway
- Other common names: northern crested caracara, caracara, Mexican eagle
- Length: 18-22 inches
- Wingspan: 48-57 inches
- Weight: 1.5-4 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-12 years in the wild
- Conservation status: Least concern
The crested caracara is a bird of prey in the falcon family Falconidae. But unlike most falcons that mainly eat other birds, the crested caracara has a highly varied diet including carrion, insects, small reptiles, and more. It is found in a range of open habitats including grasslands, pastures, agricultural areas, and desert scrub.
Global Population and Distribution
The global population of crested caracaras is estimated to be quite large. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are roughly 1 million to 10 million individual crested caracaras globally. So while the species faces some localized threats, its overall population remains secure.
Crested caracaras have an extensive range across the southern tier of North America and much of South America. Their breeding range extends from southern Arizona and Texas in the United States through Mexico and Central America. From South America, they are found as far south as central Argentina, with isolated populations in the southernmost tip of the continent.
They are generally resident year-round throughout their range in the tropics and subtropics. Northern populations in the U.S. and Mexico may migrate short distances in winter. But they do not undertake the massive migrations of some other raptor species.
Population Status by Region
Here is a breakdown of the crested caracara’s population status across different parts of its range:
- United States: Less than 5,000 pairs. Restricted to southern Texas and Arizona.
- Mexico: Estimated 5,000-50,000 pairs. More common in central and southern regions.
- Central America: Relatively common, but population size unknown.
- Caribbean: Sparse population of less than 5,000 pairs across Cuba, Hispaniola, and other islands.
- South America: Population at least 500,000 pairs and may exceed 5 million pairs. Widespread and generally common.
As these numbers illustrate, the crested caracara has a substantial population in the southern portion of its range in South America. There it is a fairly adaptable species common in many open habitats. In the northern extent of its range in the U.S. and Caribbean, it occurs in smaller numbers and very localized populations.
Conservation Status
The crested caracara is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This indicates it is not currently vulnerable to extinction at the global level.
However, that doesn’t mean some populations are not facing local threats. In the United States, habitat loss has led to the caracara being listed as Threatened in Arizona. It has been eliminated from some areas of its former range along the lower Rio Grande in Texas. Persecution by ranchers who viewed the raptors as a threat to livestock also contributed to declines in Texas.
Some localized declines have occurred in parts of Central America as well, largely due to habitat conversion to agriculture. But on the whole, the species’ numbers across its vast South American range remain robust.
Causes of Mortality
The leading causes of mortality for crested caracaras include:
- Shooting/persecution by ranchers
- Vehicle collisions
- Loss of habitat
- Predation as nestlings
- Electrocution on power lines
The most significant threats are direct human persecution, the loss of suitable breeding and foraging habitat, and accidental deaths from running into vehicles on roads.
Legal Protections
Legal protections for crested caracaras include:
- U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act – Prohibits harming or harassing the birds without a permit
- U.S. Endangered Species Act – Listed as Threatened in Arizona
- Mexico – Considered a threatened species
Given its large range across the Americas, most crested caracara populations are not covered under endangered species laws. The exceptions are in the U.S. and Mexico where habitat loss has led to more protective legal measures.
Rarity Relative to Other Raptor Species
The crested caracara is less rare globally than many other birds of prey that have limited geographic ranges or very small populations. For example, in the U.S. there are fewer than 100 wild California condors, while the rare Ridgway’s hawk of Hispaniola has a population under 2,500. By contrast, the crested caracara numbers at least in the tens of thousands and possibly the millions across its widespread distribution.
That said, the crested caracara is still uncommon and localized across substantial portions of its range, especially in Central America, the Caribbean, and border regions of the U.S. While not critically endangered, its sensitivity to habitat loss and persecution means populations need continued monitoring and conservation attention.
Efforts to Protect the Species
Some key initiatives aimed at protecting crested caracara populations include:
- Habitat preservation – Protecting areas of suitable breeding and foraging habitat in the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean from development.
- Awareness campaigns – Educating ranchers and farmers that caracaras pose little threat to livestock so they are not unnecessarily persecuted.
- Reintroduction programs – Releasing captive-bred caracaras in regions of the U.S. where they have been extirpated.
- Nest monitoring/protection – Watching known nest sites and limiting human disturbance during the breeding season.
- Power line modifications – Installing special raptor-friendly configurations to prevent electrocutions.
Protection and management of habitat is likely the most important conservation strategy. But efforts to reduce conflict with ranchers, limit disturbances near nests, and lower risks from power lines can also help preserve populations in the northern part of the caracara’s range. Captive breeding and release may assist in re-establishing the birds in portions of Arizona and Texas where they have been eliminated.
Interesting Facts
Beyond the basic facts about its population and range, the crested caracara has some other fascinating aspects that make it a unique raptor:
- It is the national bird of Mexico, appearing on the Mexican flag.
- The Aztecs considered it a sacred bird associated with the sun god.
- It is one of the few raptors known to use tools, breaking open eggs by dropping rocks on them.
- Caracaras communicate using a large variety of vocalizations from screeches to barking.
- They form monogamous pairs that can remain together for life.
- Caracaras advertise their territory by engaging in dramatic aerial displays.
The caracara’s unusual traits, from its loud vocalizations to its tool-using intelligence, make it a fascinating species to study and observe.
Conclusion
The crested caracara has a large total population and expansive range across much of South and Central America. But habitat destruction and human persecution have made some populations in the northern extent of its range more rare and threatened. While not globally endangered, active conservation efforts are needed in regions like the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico where the species is now quite uncommon and localized.
With a combination of habitat protection, reductions in direct persecution, and public education, the long-term outlook for the crested caracara can remain positive. Careful management of localized populations and breeding habitats will allow this unique Neotropical bird of prey to continue thriving for generations to come.