Birds Posters
Caracaras
Caracaras are present along the Mexican American Border, from Baja California to Eastern Texas, then south to Panama.
There are also isolated populations in Cuba, the Isle of Pines, Louisiana, and in Central Florida.
The crested caracara is about the same size as an osprey, but it has shorter wings.
It has a length of approximately 53 to 58 centimeters, with a wingspan of approximately 1.2 meters.
Caracaras can be identified by thier long yellow legs, and their large, hooked, bluish bill.
Caracaras have black crowns and crests, with red facial skin.
Their tails are banded, alternating black and white, with a wide black terminal band.
Although it looks like a long legged hawk and associates with vultures, it is actually in the same family as falcons.
A tropical falcon version of a vulture, the Crested Caracara reaches the United States only in Arizona, Texas, and Florida.
It is a bird of open country, where it often is seen at carrion with vultures.
The caracara is an opportunistic feeder, its diet consists of both carrion and living prey.
The living prey is usually small turtles, turtle eggs, fish, insects, frogs, lizard, snakes, small birds, and some small mammals.
Sometimes, when trying to capture a larger animal, pairs will unite their forces.
A common subject of folklore and legends throughout Central and South America, the Crested Caracara is sometimes referred to as the "Mexican eagle."
Many caracaras live on private lands in Florida, a few wandering to the east into Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island.