by Doug Becker

In Mexico, they sometimes call this magnificent bird the Mexican Eagle. Fact is, the Crested Caracara seems to be a species of their own. They look like a long-legged hawk with over 4 feet of wing span. Their color is mostly black except for their long white neck and colorful face and large bill. The adults’ featherless face is  bright orange and their long legs are yellow. On top of their large, flat head is their signature black, shaggy crest. In flight, you will see a white under-tail and outer wing feathers. All in all, the Crested Caracara is quite striking to see and is easy to identify.

Unfortunately for us birders, the Crested Caracara are only found in the far southern states. Florida, Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona are within the Caracaras’ range. From there, they range through Mexico, Cuba and parts of Central and South America. Although the Caracara looks like a hawk with their sharp bill and talons, and behaves like a vulture, the Crested Caracara is actually a black and white tropical falcon! Could’ve fooled me! They are not shy and will hang out around garbage dumps, meat processing plants, farm yards and will even join a group of vultures eating carrion. Otherwise, they spend most of their time on foot feeding on insects, snakes and frogs in wide-open fields and pastures. They can also be seen wading in water for fish and amphibians. The Caracara will also eat other birds and eggs, as well as just about anything else they can find!

Unlike other birds of prey, the Crested Caracara does not attack from high above, and is unable to tear apart small mammals like squirrels or rabbits. Caracaras will either fly very low, or run on the ground to over-take their prey. This is why they spend most of their time walking around fields or eating carrion with the vultures. What kind of  falcon is this? Further, the Caracara is the only falcon that brings sticks and grasses to build their nest in a tree. Other falcons will use other birds’ nests or are pretty much satisfied with  just a scrape on the ground.

Crested Caracara build their nest in the highest tree, cactus, or structure around.  Both male and female bring stems, vines and twigs to weave a bulky nest. This takes up to 2-4 weeks. The nest will measure about 2 feet across with a shallow cup. In time, however, reusing and refurbishing will make the nest bigger.  Caracaras will brood 1-2 times per year, with a clutch size of 1-4 eggs. Incubation time is 30-33 days, and nesting period with the chicks is 42-56 days. Breeding pairs are very aggressive toward other Caracaras or vultures, but after breeding time, they’re more social, and even roost communally at times. Caracaras will pair with each other for several years before moving on.

I’ve seen Crested Caracara in Florida, and there’s nothing like them. Should you be in Caracara country, you can’t miss them. Scan all the tops of the trees and structures, then scan the fields and pastures. They’re big, look like a hawk, act like a vulture, and they are beautiful and easy to identify! Caracara means face to face. What???  Why are they a falcon??? Ask the scientists! I’ll see ya out there!