Caracaras look like they might be a cross between a crown and a hawk but then act like vultures, but they aren't any of these birds - they are, in fact, related to falcons! And while falcons are well known for their amazing flying feats, caracaras prefer to keep their "feets" on the ground. With long legs and generally flattened talons, caracaras spend a majority of their time walking! These birds enjoy open fields and can live high in mountainous areas. They're scavengers and are even strong enough to push vultures off a meal!

Scientific Name: Subfamily - Polyborinae
Range: the Americas (mostly Cenrtal and South)
Size: 1.2 to 2 feet (37-64cm) long; 50 inch (127cm) wingspan
Diet: carrion, small rodents, reptiles, insects, etc.
Lifespan: 20+ years

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Image and Video Credits:
Bodegalibre -    • Cara Cara Cabeza Amarilla  
Lee D -    • Crested Caracara at Brevard Zoo - Sep...  
TerraNaturalist -    • Raptors at play  
Rolando Alvarado Anchisi -    • 16 de mayo del 2020  


Bernard DUPONT - https://www.flickr.com/photos/bernied...
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The Nature Box - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
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Benito Rosende - https://vimeo.com/115645842
Christopher Taylor - https://vimeo.com/35031498
McCann S, Moeri O, Jones T, Scott C, Khaskin G, Gries R, O'Donnell S, Gries G (2013). "Strike Fast, Strike Hard: The Red-Throated Caracara Exploits Absconding Behavior of Social Wasps during Nest Predation". PLOS ONE. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0084114. PMC: 3873407

Research Credits:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/a...
https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...
https://www.britannica.com/animal/car...
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