The Crested Caracara is a fascinating bird of prey that inhabits areas across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. With its distinctive appearance and habits, the Crested Caracara stands out from other raptors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most interesting facts about this unique bird.
Appearance
The Crested Caracara has a very distinctive appearance. Adults have a black body with a white neck, throat, chest and belly. Their head is adorned with a tall crest that gives them their name. The crest is black with white streaks. Their beak is large, thick and yellow-orange in color. Their legs are also bright yellow-orange.
The Crested Caracara’s wings are broad and rounded. When in flight, the white feathers on the underside of the wings and body are very visible, creating a striking black and white contrast. Juveniles are overall brown with some white mottling on the body. As they mature, the brown is gradually replaced by black feathers. By their second year, young Crested Caracaras closely resemble adults.
Habitat
The Crested Caracara can thrive in a variety of habitats, ranging from wet coastal lowlands to arid inland prairies and deserts. They are found from sea level up to around 10,000 feet in elevation. Crested Caracaras need some open country where they can spot prey, but they are also found around pastures, agricultural fields, grasslands, and scrub lands.
They frequently perch on fence posts or utility poles along roadsides. The expansion of roads and ranches into previously remote areas seems to benefit Crested Caracaras by creating suitable habitat. They also reside near forests and swamps in Central and South America. Their adaptability allows them to take advantage of diverse habitats across their range.
Diet
The Crested Caracara has an unusually varied diet for a bird of prey. While they will hunt live prey like rodents, snakes, lizards, rabbits, and insects, they also have no problem scavenging for carrion. They frequently feed on dead fish, birds, and mammals found along shorelines and roadways. Around ranches, they will eat livestock afterbirths and newborn calves.
If necessary, Crested Caracaras will also eat vegetable matter like seeds and fruits. Their diverse palate allows them to thrive across habitats and take advantage of many food sources. They use their large, hooked beaks to rip open carcasses and pull out internal organs. Strong legs allow them to pin down live prey.
Behavior
The Crested Caracara has some behaviors that set it apart from other birds of prey:
- Highly social – Crested Caracaras form monogamous pairs that remain together year after year. They also congregate in large communal roosts containing dozens or even hundreds of birds.
- Playful – Caracaras are known to pick up objects like bones, sticks or rocks and toss them in the air, then skillfully catch them again. Some scientists think this helps develop their coordination.
- Vocal – They make a variety of calls including barks, cackles, grunts and hisses. Their most well-known call is a harsh, rasping screech.
- Intelligent – Caracaras are considered very intelligent and observant birds. They are able to learn behaviors by watching other members of their species.
Their social and playful nature, as well as their intelligence, make the Crested Caracara unique among birds of prey. They seem to interact and observe each other in ways similar to parrots and crows.
Reproduction
The breeding season for Crested Caracaras varies across their range. In the southern United States, breeding typically takes place from January through April. Further south, breeding aligns more closely with seasonal rains and can occur from September through March.
Crested Caracaras form monogamous pairs. Prior to breeding, pairs engage in dramatic aerial displays including loops, dives and even simulated attacks against each other. These displays help strengthen the bond between the breeding pair.
Nests are built by the female in trees, bushes or on the ground. The nests are large structures up to 2.5 feet wide built from sticks and lined with grass, moss, and leaves. Between 1 to 4 eggs are laid per clutch. The eggs are whitish with reddish-brown spotting.
Both parents help incubate the eggs for 28 to 33 days until hatching. Once hatched, the young are fed and cared for by both parents. Young caracaras will leave the nest at around 80 days old but remain with their parents for another 6 to 10 months, learning hunting skills, before dispersing.
Population and Conservation
The global population of Crested Caracaras is estimated to be around 2 million mature individuals. Their numbers seem to be stable or even increasing in Central and South America. However, in the United States, habitat loss and poising from pesticides and lead ammunition have caused some populations declines.
The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. While still common and widespread overall, local declines have led them to be listed as Threatened in several US states including Florida, Texas and Arizona. Further loss of habitat and increased mortality from poisoning may negatively impact US populations without proper conservation management.
Crested Caracara Population in the United States
| State | Population Estimate | Population Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 4,000-5,000 pairs | Declining |
| Texas | 5,000-10,000 pairs | Declining |
| Arizona | 400-500 pairs | Stable |
| New Mexico | 500-1,000 pairs | Stable |
Interesting Facts
Here are a few more interesting facts about the Crested Caracara:
- The Crested Caracara is the national bird of Mexico.
- They are sometimes referred to as the “Mexican eagle” despite not actually being part of the eagle family.
- Their feet have four toes like most raptors, but one toe can rotate backwards to help them better grasp and tear apart carrion.
- Caracaras maintain their body feathers by taking dust baths. They flatten out on the ground and fluff dust through their feathers to clean them.
- They have been observed stealing food from vultures, then driving the vultures away from the carcass.
- Their characteristic screeches have been compared to the sounds of buzzards vomiting.
Conclusion
With its unique appearance, varied diet, social behavior, intelligence and adaptability across habitats, the Crested Caracara is truly one of the most fascinating raptors found in the Americas. While still common, habitat loss and poisoning threaten some populations, particularly in the southern United States. Maintaining suitable habitat and reducing pesticide use will benefit Crested Caracaras across their range. Whether catching live prey, scavenging carcasses, or engaging in aerial displays, the Crested Caracara is a bird that will continue to impress and delight birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
