The crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) is a large bird of prey that is found in North, Central, and South America. Despite its name containing “caracara”, which comes from the Portuguese word for “falcon”, there has been some debate over whether the crested caracara is actually a true falcon or not. This article will examine the classification, physical characteristics, diet, and behavior of the crested caracara in order to determine if it qualifies as a falcon or if it belongs to a different group of raptors.
Taxonomy and Classification
The crested caracara belongs to the family Falconidae, the family of falcons and caracaras. Within this family, it is placed in the subfamily Polyborinae, along with the South American caracaras. The Polyborinae differ from typical falcons in a few key ways, which has led some scientists to suggest classifying them in a separate family called Caracaridae instead of with the falcons. However, most authorities still consider the Polyborinae to be a subfamily within Falconidae.
Here is a breakdown of the crested caracara’s scientific classification:
Kingdom | Animalia |
---|---|
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Aves |
Order | Falconiformes |
Family | Falconidae |
Subfamily | Polyborinae |
Genus | Caracara |
Species | C. cheriway |
So while its classification is still debated, the crested caracara is generally considered to be part of the falcon family. But is it a “true” falcon in terms of its physical traits and behavior?
Physical Characteristics
The crested caracara has a number of physical features that distinguish it from many typical falcons:
Size and Build
The crested caracara is a large, long-legged bird with a wingspan of around 4 feet and weight of 2-3 pounds. It has a heavier, bulkier build compared to most falcons. True falcons are known for being small to medium-sized birds with sleek, aerodynamic bodies.
Plumage
Adult crested caracaras have largely blackish-brown plumage on their backs, wings, and undersides. Their heads are whitish with a black crest that gives the species its name. This is very different from the intricately patterned brown, gray, or rufous plumage seen in many falcon species.
Facial Features
The crested caracara has a large, hooked, yellowish beak and bare yellowish or reddish facial skin around the eyes and lores. Most falcons have a sharply pointed beak with a tomial tooth used for precisely severing prey vertebrae, along with feathered faces.
Feet
This bird’s feet are another distinctive feature. The crested caracara has long, yellow legs and thick toes without the strong talons typical of falcons. Its toes are more suited for walking and grasping rather than tightly clenching prey.
So in terms of its physicality, the crested caracara diverges from typical falcons in many ways. Its size, proportions, plumage, facial features, and feet give it a different look and adapt it to a different lifestyle compared to most falcon species.
Diet and Hunting
The crested caracara’s diet and feeding habits also set it apart from most falcons:
Broad Diet
While true falcons subsist primarily on birds captured in mid-air, the crested caracara is a more generalized feeder. Its diverse diet includes carrion, insects, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, eggs, and some plant material. The crested caracara is considered a scavenger as well as a predator.
Foraging Style
Rather than speedy aerial assaults, the crested caracara often forages while walking along the ground. It uses its strong feet to tear apart carrion or dig up prey. It may also snatch small animals directly off the ground. Compared to falcons, its flight style is slower and more buoyant. It does opportunistically grab birds in flight but lacks the swiftness and agility typically associated with falcons.
Social Feeding
The crested caracara often feeds communally in social groups or alongside other vulture species. Most falcons are solitary hunters who do not tolerate other birds around their food.
Falcons | Primarily catch birds in flight |
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Crested Caracaras | Broad diet from carrion to small prey; forage on foot |
So the crested caracara hunting style aligns more with generalist feeders like some hawks and vultures rather than specialist bird hunters like falcons.
Breeding Behavior
There are also some notable differences in the crested caracara’s breeding and social behavior:
Nest Sites
While most falcons nest on cliffs or in cavities, the crested caracara builds large stick nests in trees, often choosing palm trees. They may also nest on the ground, in bushes, or on human-made structures.
Sociality
The crested caracara exhibits social living and cooperative breeding to a degree not seen in most falcons. Pairs mate for life and family groups including grown offspring may help build the nest, incubate eggs, and feed nestlings.
Vocalizations
This species uses a wide array of cackling, screeching, and bill-clapping vocalizations largely unlike the calls of typical falcons. Their loud vocal displays help maintain the social hierarchies in their family groups.
Falcons | Solitary nesters on cliffs or in cavities |
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Crested Caracaras | Build stick nests communally in trees; cooperative breeding |
The crested caracara’s reproductive behavior shows more similarities to tropical raptors like some kites or caracaras than to the solitary nesting falcons.
Conclusion
While its precise taxonomy is still debated by ornithologists, the bulk of evidence from its physical traits, feeding ecology, and social behavior suggests that the crested caracara is not a “true” falcon in the traditional sense. Key differences include:
– Larger size and different proportions compared to most falcons
– Distinct plumage and facial features like a bare face and crest
– Strong feet better suited for walking than a falcon’s talons
– More generalized and opportunistic diet rather than flying bird specialist
– Forages on foot rather than catching prey mid-air
– More social and cooperative breeding behavior than solitary falcons
Based on these attributes, the crested caracara occupies an ecological niche distinct from typical falcons. While retaining some falcon-like characteristics, it is better categorized as a unique tropical raptor adapted to carrion-feeding and ground foraging. Its common name of “caracara” hints that it belongs to its own South American lineage despite its official classification within the falcon family. So in essence, the crested caracara occupies a gray area between falcons, caracaras, and vultures, making it a fascinating and unique predatory bird.