Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara: Large, ground-dwelling falcon, black body, finely barred tail, wing panels and upper breast. Head crest is black, facial skin is red, and large bill is blue-gray and hooked. Legs are long and yellow. Strong steady wing beats alternated with long to short glides. Soars on thermals.
● Song:
"wick-wick-wick-wick-querrr"
● Foraging & Feeding:
Crested Caracara: Diet includes carrion, small turtles, turtle eggs, fish, insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, small birds, and small mammals. When pursuing larger prey, a pair sometimes works together; has been observed feeding on carrion with vultures.
● Breeding & nesting:
Crested Caracara: One to four brown marked, white or light pink eggs are laid in a bulky nest made of vines and sticks, usually built in a cabbage palm tree. Eggs are incubated for 32 days by both parents.
● Similar species:
Crested Caracara: Black Vulture lacks head crest, red face, and barred breast and tail.
Flight Pattern
Strong steady deep wing beats., Often alternates series of wing beats with long to short glides., Sometimes soars on thermals.