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| − | '''Alternative names: Mexican Eagle, Mexican Buzzard | + | '''Alternative names: Mexican Eagle, Mexican Buzzard'''<br /> |
| − | [[Image:Crested_Caracara.jpg|thumb| | + | '''Includes (Northern) Crested Caracara; Southern (Crested) Caracara''' |
| − | ;[[:Category:Caracara|Caracara]] | + | [[Image:Crested_Caracara.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Subspecies ''audubonii''<br />Photo © by {{user|JBerard|JBerard}} <br />[[Florida]], [[USA]], February 2006]] |
| + | ;[[:Category:Caracara|Caracara]] plancus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Southern_Crested_Caracara.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Subspecies ''plancus''<br />Photo © by {{user|guerrero|guerrero}}<br />Botucatu, Sao Paulo, [[Brazil]], October 2006]] |
| − | + | A large caracara with a total length of 50-65 cm (20-26 in) and a wing-span up to 130 cm (51 in).<br /> | |
| − | + | Individuals from the southernmost part of its range average the largest and those from tropical regions average the smallest, with birds in the northern end again being larger.<br /> | |
| − | + | The cap, belly, thighs, most of the wings and tail-tip are dark brownish (may appear almost black), the ear-[[Topography#General Anatomy|coverts]], throat and nape are whitish-buff, and the chest, neck, mantle, back, uppertail-coverts, [[Dictionary_A-C#C|crissum]] and basal part of the tail are whitish-buff barred dark brownish.<br /> | |
| − | + | In flight, some whitish-buff barring can be seen on a [[Topography#Wings|secondaries]], while the outer [[Topography#Wings|primaries]] have a large conspicious whitish-buff patch ("window"), as in several other species of caracaras. <br /> | |
| − | + | The legs are yellow, the bill is pale bluish-horn, the extensive bare facial skin and cere are deep yellow to reddish-orange (depending on mood and individual), and the iris is dark brown.<br /> | |
| − | + | '''Juveniles''' resemble adults, but are paler, with streaking (not barring) on the chest, neck and back, grey legs, and whitish, later pinkish-purple, facial skin and cere. | |
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
Very similar to the closely related [[Southern Caracara]]. | Very similar to the closely related [[Southern Caracara]]. | ||
| − | + | [[Image:608-01223fg Immature Crested Caracara.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|bobsofpa|bobsofpa}}<br />Viera Wetlands, [[Florida]], [[USA]], February 2008]] | |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
[[Image:Crested Caracara wingspan 1 1-1 3 m.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''audubonii''<br />Photo © by {{user|Stanley+Jones|Stanley Jones}}<br />Marlin, Falls County, [[Texas]], [[USA]], December 2018]] | [[Image:Crested Caracara wingspan 1 1-1 3 m.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''audubonii''<br />Photo © by {{user|Stanley+Jones|Stanley Jones}}<br />Marlin, Falls County, [[Texas]], [[USA]], December 2018]] | ||
| − | [[North America|North]], [[Central America|Central]] and | + | [[North America|North]], [[Central America|Central]] and [[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 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]], | + | In South America it occurs throughout most of the [[Guianas]], [[Venezuela]], [[Aruba]], [[Trinidad]], [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], [[Brazil]], [[Bolivia]], [[Chile]] and [[Argentina]] to [[Tierra del Fuego]] in south. It also occurs on the [[Falkland Islands]]. |
| + | 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]].<br /> | + | Common over most of range, but scarcer in the [[USA]] (it is classified as threatened in [[Florida]]).<br /> |
Resident. | Resident. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | [[Image:Dabs - Crested Caracara 2.JPG|thumb|350px|right| | + | [[Image:Dabs - Crested Caracara 2.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''cheriway''<br />Photo © by {{user|DABS|DABS}}<br />La Brea, [[Trinidad]], January 2019]] |
| − | + | Formerly considered as two species, of which the northern three subspecies had the name Crested Caracara and the southernmost subspecies (''plancus'') was Southern Caracara. Recent reports indicate a large area of hybridization between these forms in Amazonia.<br /> | |
| − | + | Sometimes also includes the now extinct [[Guadalupe Caracara]]. | |
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | There are | + | There are 4 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>: |
| − | *''C. | + | *''C. p. pallidus'': |
:*Tres Marías Islands (off western [[Mexico]]) | :*Tres Marías Islands (off western [[Mexico]]) | ||
| − | *''C. | + | *''C. p. audubonii'': |
:*Southern [[US]] to western [[Panama]], [[Cuba]] and Isle of Pines | :*Southern [[US]] to western [[Panama]], [[Cuba]] and Isle of Pines | ||
| − | *''C. | + | *''C. p. cheriway'': |
:*Eastern [[Panama]] and northern [[South America]] to northern [[Peru]], [[Brazil]], [[Aruba]] and [[Trinidad]] | :*Eastern [[Panama]] and northern [[South America]] to northern [[Peru]], [[Brazil]], [[Aruba]] and [[Trinidad]] | ||
| + | *''C. p. plancus'': | ||
| + | :*Amazon basin to eastern [[Peru]], [[Tierra del Fuego]] and [[Falkland Islands]] | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
[[Image:HeadBack.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Courting behaviour<br />Photo © by {{user|Robert+Davis|Robert Davis}}<br />Rio Grande, [[Texas]], April 2016]] | [[Image:HeadBack.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Courting behaviour<br />Photo © by {{user|Robert+Davis|Robert Davis}}<br />Rio Grande, [[Texas]], April 2016]] | ||
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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== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug21}}#Birdforum Member observations |
| + | #Morrison, J. L. and J. F. Dwyer (2021). Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.y00678.01 | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Image:Crested_Caracara_C.c-audubonii_STJN.jpg|Subspecies ''audubonii'' - Flight<br />Photo © by {{user|Stanley+Jones|Stanley Jones}}<br />Southeast of Belton, Bell County, [[Texas]], [[USA]], 13 May 2021 | ||
| + | <br /> | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| + | {{GSearch|Caracara+plancus}} | ||
| + | Use Caracara+cheriway to search for the northern subspecies group: | ||
{{GSearch|Caracara+cheriway}} | {{GSearch|Caracara+cheriway}} | ||
| − | <br /> | + | {{GS-checked}}<br /><br /> |
| − | |||
| − | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Caracara | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Caracara]] |
Revision as of 01:47, 13 February 2022
Alternative names: Mexican Eagle, Mexican Buzzard
Includes (Northern) Crested Caracara; Southern (Crested) Caracara
- Caracara plancus
Identification
A large caracara with a total length of 50-65 cm (20-26 in) and a wing-span up to 130 cm (51 in).
Individuals from the southernmost part of its range average the largest and those from tropical regions average the smallest, with birds in the northern end again being larger.
The cap, belly, thighs, most of the wings and tail-tip are dark brownish (may appear almost black), the ear-coverts, throat and nape are whitish-buff, and the chest, neck, mantle, back, uppertail-coverts, crissum and basal part of the tail are whitish-buff barred dark brownish.
In flight, some whitish-buff barring can be seen on a secondaries, while the outer primaries have a large conspicious whitish-buff patch ("window"), as in several other species of caracaras.
The legs are yellow, the bill is pale bluish-horn, the extensive bare facial skin and cere are deep yellow to reddish-orange (depending on mood and individual), and the iris is dark brown.
Juveniles resemble adults, but are paler, with streaking (not barring) on the chest, neck and back, grey legs, and whitish, later pinkish-purple, facial skin and cere.
Similar Species
Very similar to the closely related Southern Caracara.
Distribution
North, Central and 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, Aruba, Trinidad, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego in south. It also occurs on the Falkland Islands. 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 (it is classified as threatened in Florida).
Resident.
Taxonomy
Formerly considered as two species, of which the northern three subspecies had the name Crested Caracara and the southernmost subspecies (plancus) was Southern Caracara. Recent reports indicate a large area of hybridization between these forms in Amazonia.
Sometimes also includes the now extinct Guadalupe Caracara.
Subspecies
There are 4 subspecies[1]:
- C. p. pallidus:
- Tres Marías Islands (off western Mexico)
- C. p. audubonii:
- C. p. cheriway:
- C. p. plancus:
- Amazon basin to eastern Peru, Tierra del Fuego and Falkland Islands
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 restricted 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, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Birdforum Member observations
- Morrison, J. L. and J. F. Dwyer (2021). Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.y00678.01
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Crested Caracara. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 18 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Crested_Caracara
Subspecies audubonii - Flight
Photo © by Stanley Jones
Southeast of Belton, Bell County, Texas, USA, 13 May 2021
External Links
Use Caracara+cheriway to search for the northern subspecies group:
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
