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Doug J | all galleries >> Birds, Birds, Birds >> Non-passeriformes Gallery > Northern Caracara
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Northern Caracara

Scientific name: Caracara cheriway or Caracara planus
Order: Falconiformes

Also called Northern Crested Caracara or Crested Carara

The Crested Caracaras’ preferred habitat is open, lowland countryside, like pastures, savannas, river edges, and ranches. They may also be found in some forests and marshes. These birds reside in the southwestern United States and Florida, Central America, and South America.

The Crested Caracara usually feeds on carrion, but they will take advantage of any food opportunity by eating small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, turtles, fish, crab, eggs, insects, worms, and nestling birds. Caracaras hunt live food on the ground or take food from other birds.

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Canon EOS 10D ,Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
1/800s f/4.5 at 120mm (EF 70-200mm + EF 1.4x TC) ISO 400 with Flash full exif

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comment
Vincent W. 01-Oct-2010 02:52
We have a mating pair of these birds at our work compound in Houston Tx at Beltway 8 and HWY 249. They hang out around our building windows and are quite the hams. This year they only had one offspring, but last year they had two.
Dan 16-Feb-2008 00:52
Hey Chris Great Pic ,Iam a truck driver in south Fla. i have seen this same bird in the south central Florida area (well not same one you saw in tx)i have been watching it for about 8 weeks or so , can not get a pic of it for there is no place close to stop my truck . but i will keep trying , This is such a great bird to look at in real life.
Chris Thomasen 01-Sep-2007 21:53
I first saw this bird flying with some Turkey Buzzards outside of Boerne Texas. I thought I was having a flash back! I asked some of my birding friends what it was and they thought I was crazy! Then about two weeks ago in a greenway next to Beltway 8 which is a toll loop that encircles Hoston, I saw the bird again. I thought it was something out of a Haryy Potter movie. This time I pulled over to get a better look and get my camera when an 18-wheeler and honked his horn and chase the bird away. It is one of the most incredible birds I have ever seen. I saw another last on the same grennbelt, don't knmopw if it is the same one but it gave me a rush. I had tell to somebody! So you're elected! Although I am just an novice, I know my birds! From what I've read this means that the Caracara is expanding it's range much like the Monk Parakeets that are builing their nest in the hi-lines. Thanks for letting post this, I just had to tell someone!