Crested Caracara (us-RGV)
From WikiBird
Contents |
Regional Information
Range, Abundance, and Seasonal Variations
Directions and Maps
General Information
Size
Length: 58cm (??in), Wingspan: 125cm (??in)
Field Marks
Medium-sized, broad-winged, long-tailed hawk, thick, gray hooked beak, with reddish cere and bare facial skin around eye that can change color in seconds. Very cross-shaped in flight. Long neck, especially apparent in flight, long legs. Black cap with slight crest at rear of head. White bases to outer six primaries form white panel on outer wing like that on Black Vulture. White rump, uppertail and undertail coverts, white tail with black barring and thick terminal band, black belly. Sexes similar. Adult: Black back, breast and upper back marked by fine, dark vermiculations. Immature: Brown back, pale buff neck and throat, pale breast streaked with dark brown.
Similar species
Black Vulture has a similar white wing panel on dark wings, but is otherwise quite different in shape and coloration.
Sounds
A low rattle.
Feeding & Behavior
Frequently walks and runs on the ground. Omnivorous, and will eat reptiles, amphibians and other small animals as well as carrion.
Habitat & Nesting
Open country, which nests in a tree or on the ground, laying 2 to 4 eggs.
Range
Resident breeder in most of South and Central America, just reaching the southernmost parts of the USA, including Florida, where it is resident but listed as threatened.
Resources
