About This Species
The Crested Caracara is a striking, long-legged falcon of open landscapes, most often seen in grasslands, ranchlands, and coastal plains. With its bold black-and-white plumage, orange facial skin, and upright posture, it often looks more like a raptor on patrol than one in flight.
Fun Facts
- Falcon with a twist: Unlike most falcons that hunt on the wing, the Crested Caracara spends much of its time walking on the ground, searching for food with a more vulture-like approach.
- Ground patrol: This species is often seen striding through fields and pastures, using its long legs to cover ground while hunting for insects, small vertebrates, and carrion.
- Opportunistic feeder: Crested Caracaras have a highly varied diet and will eat almost anything, from live prey like snakes and lizards to roadkill and even insects stirred up by livestock.
- Expressive face: Their bright orange facial skin becomes even more vibrant during breeding season, and their dark crest can be raised or lowered depending on their mood.
- Southern specialty: In the United States, Crested Caracaras are found primarily in Florida and Texas, where they are considered the "Mexican eagle" and hold cultural significance in Mexico as a national symbol.
