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Also known as the '''Northern Caracara'''<br/> | Also known as the '''Northern Caracara'''<br/> | ||
Previously considered conspecific with the [[Southern Caracara]]. Following the split, the Crested Caracara become ''Caracara cheriway'', while the Southern is ''Caracara plancus''. Sometimes also includes the now extinct [[Guadalupe Caracara]]. | Previously considered conspecific with the [[Southern Caracara]]. Following the split, the Crested Caracara become ''Caracara cheriway'', while the Southern is ''Caracara plancus''. Sometimes also includes the now extinct [[Guadalupe Caracara]]. | ||
| + | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ||
| + | *''C. c. pallidus'': | ||
| + | :*Tres Marías Islands (off western [[Mexico]]) | ||
| + | *''C. c. audubonii'': | ||
| + | :*Southern [[US]] to western [[Panama]], [[Cuba]] and [[Isle of Pines]] | ||
| + | *''C. c. cheriway'': | ||
| + | :*Eastern [[Panama]] and nnorthern [[South America]] to northern [[Peru]], [[Brazil]], Aruba and [[Trinidad]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
A range of habitats including arid scrubland and semi-desert, open woodland and riverine woodland, savanna with scattered trees, mangrove swamps and shorelines in some areas. Often near humans. Generally avoids densely forested regions (e.g. the Amazon), where largely resticted to the vicinity of rivers. | A range of habitats including arid scrubland and semi-desert, open woodland and riverine woodland, savanna with scattered trees, mangrove swamps and shorelines in some areas. Often near humans. Generally avoids densely forested regions (e.g. the Amazon), where largely resticted to the vicinity of rivers. | ||
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====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
Nests in trees, shrubs, or cactus. Usually lays 2 or three eggs. | Nests in trees, shrubs, or cactus. Usually lays 2 or three eggs. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}} | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Caracara+cheriway}} | {{GSearch|Caracara+cheriway}} | ||
Revision as of 20:51, 9 December 2009
- Caracara cheriway
Identification
L. 21 in (54 cm)
W. 48 in (120 cm)
- Distinctive shape
- Long neck and legs
- Dark with white ends
- In flight, a large and conspicious whitish patch ("window") can be seen in the primaries
- Tail is pale with faint barring and a dark tip
Similar Species
Very similar to the closely related Southern Caracara, which see.
Distribution
North, Central and northern South America. In North America breeds in southern Arizona, southern Texas and east along the Gulf Coast into Louisiana and in south-central Florida. Also a rare breeder in southern New Mexico and breeds from Baja California and northern Mexico south to Panama. In South America it occurs throughout most of the Guianas, Venezuela, Colombia, W. Ecuador, NW Peru, and N. Brazil as far south as the Rio Amazon region. Also breeds in Cuba and the Isle of Pines and has occurred as a vagrant in Jamaica. Common over most of range, but scarcer in the USA. Resident.
Taxonomy
Also known as the Northern Caracara
Previously considered conspecific with the Southern Caracara. Following the split, the Crested Caracara become Caracara cheriway, while the Southern is Caracara plancus. Sometimes also includes the now extinct Guadalupe Caracara.
Subspecies[1]
- C. c. pallidus:
- Tres Marías Islands (off western Mexico)
- C. c. audubonii:
- Southern US to western Panama, Cuba and Isle of Pines
- C. c. cheriway:
- Eastern Panama and nnorthern South America to northern Peru, Brazil, Aruba and Trinidad
Habitat
A range of habitats including arid scrubland and semi-desert, open woodland and riverine woodland, savanna with scattered trees, mangrove swamps and shorelines in some areas. Often near humans. Generally avoids densely forested regions (e.g. the Amazon), where largely resticted to the vicinity of rivers.
Behaviour
Diet
This bird will feed on snakes, lizards, fish, turtle eggs, small mammals, and other live animals, but will readily feed on carrion as well. The name in Spanish is Caracara quebrantajuesos, which means bone breaker. They crack open and eat the marrow from carrion bones.
Breeding
Nests in trees, shrubs, or cactus. Usually lays 2 or three eggs.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Crested Caracara. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Crested_Caracara
External Links
