| Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) aka Crested Caracara, Southern Crested-Caracara (Polyborus plancus) but see HBW, Volume 2, Pages 219-220 and Northern Caracara (Caracara cheriway) |
||||
 |
The Southern Caracara can look a bit like a large chicken from a distance as it struts along the ground and frequently feeds there. It has long yellow legs and a bushy black crest. It also has a red cere which apparently turns yellow, as in the second photo, when the bird is excited. In flight from below it shows conspicuous white patches on its outer primaries. It is found in open and semi-open country from south of the Amazon River to the southern tip of South America. |
|||
 |
It feeds mainly on carrion and is often seen at road kills where it is dominant over single Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures. It also feeds on live prey such as baby caiman and Roseate Spoonbill chicks. There are illustrations in Sick, Plate 6; and in HBW, Volume 2, Pages 222 (showing yellow cere), 231 and 248. |
|||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
| ||||
|