The Crested Caracara is a large, long-legged falcon that behaves more like a hawk or vulture than a typical falcon. It inhabits open grasslands, rangelands, deserts, agricultural areas, and savannas, where it feeds on carrion, insects, reptiles, small mammals, birds, and other opportunistic food sources. Easily recognized by its black cap, white neck, orange facial skin, and broad white patches in the wings and tail, it often walks on the ground while foraging. In the United States, it occurs primarily in Texas, Florida, and parts of the Southwest. Its intelligence, adaptability, and scavenging habits make it one of the most distinctive raptors in the Americas. While their normal range is limited in the US, vagrants have shown up in many surprisingly locations, including a sighting in South Dakota.
Habitat
The Crested Caracara inhabits open country including grasslands, prairies, rangelands, deserts, scrublands, agricultural fields, cattle pastures, and savannas. It favors landscapes with scattered trees, shrubs, fence posts, utility poles, or other elevated perches and is often associated with livestock operations and roadsides where carrion and other food sources are readily available.
Diet
Much of its food is obtained as carrion, although it will also capture a wide variety of live prey, including ground squirrels, rabbits, lizards, snakes, other small vertebrates, and large insects.
Behavior
Crested Caracara are opportunistic, using a wide variety of methods for foraging and feeding. Often searches for carrion in flight, and has adapted to a human presence by learning to fly along highways in search of roadkill. When hunting for live prey, will typically fly low over the ground to surprise prey.
Nesting
Builds nests of sticks and other plant material, typically in tall shrubs or trees, also sometimes on large cacti. Nests can get quite large, as mating pairs of Crested Caracara often use the same nest year after year, with new material added each year.
Song
The Crested Caracara gives a variety of harsh, rasping, and rattling calls, including grating croaks, cackles, and chattering notes. Its vocalizations are often described as coarse and unmusical, quite unlike the screams of many hawks or falcons. Birds are most vocal around nest sites, during territorial disputes, and in interactions with mates or other caracaras.
Migration
The Crested Caracara is generally a nonmigratory species. Most populations remain year-round within their home ranges across South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States, making only local movements in response to food availability, weather, or seasonal conditions. In the United States, populations in Texas and Florida are considered permanent residents rather than migratory birds.
Similar Species
Distinctive and easily identified
Conservation Status
The Crested Caracara is generally considered a species of low global conservation concern because of its large range and widespread distribution throughout much of the Americas. It remains common in many open habitats and adapts well to agricultural landscapes and ranchlands. However, some regional populations—particularly the isolated population in Florida—face pressures from habitat loss, development, vehicle collisions, and changes in land use. Overall, the species is secure globally, though local conservation efforts are important in parts of its North American range. The IUCN considers the Crested Caracara to be a species of "least concern".
Image Information
Colored pencil drawing by Terry Sohl - February 2012
Interactive eBird Map
Click to access the interactive eBird species sightings page for Crested Caracara
