Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) lives in open grasslands across South America, Central America, southern US. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Crested Caracara
- At 50-65 cm long with a 120-132 cm wingspan, the crested caracara weighs between 0.9 kg and 1.6 kg, averaging 1,348 g in a sample from Tierra del Fuego, making it the second-heaviest falcon worldwide, only the gyrfalcon outweighs it. This size advantage lets it dominate scavengers at kills, reinforcing its role as a top opportunistic predator across open habitats.
- From the tip of South America at Tierra del Fuego to the southern United States, the caracara spans the entire length of the Americas, yet rare wanderers have been recorded as far north as Minnesota, Alberta, Ontario and Prince Edward Island. These extreme sightings show the species' extraordinary adaptability to diverse climates, from arid deserts to temperate coasts.
- Florida's northern caracara population is a living relic of the last glacial period, which ended around 12,500 BP. While the surrounding Gulf Coast oak savanna vanished as temperatures rose, these birds persisted in central-Florida prairies and St. Johns River marshes, clinging to cabbage palmettos and live oaks for nesting.
- When carrion appears, the crested caracara, walking boldly on the ground, and it routinely outcompetes black and turkey vultures at the same carcass. This dominance, highlighting its aggressive foraging strategy that blends hunting, stealing and opportunistic feeding across ecosystems.
- In July 2016 a northern caracara was photographed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula near Munising, followed by a June 2017 sighting in St. George, New Brunswick, Canada, and a March 2020 record in Woodstock, Vermont.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSouth America, Central America, southern US
HabitatOpen grasslands
DietCarrion and scraps
About the Crested Caracara
As the crested caracara soars through the open skies, its broad wings beating in a slow, deliberate rhythm, it exudes a sense of effortless mastery over its domain. With its sharp, inquisitive eyes scanning the landscape below, this sleek and powerful bird of prey glides effortlessly on the thermals, its crest held high like a proud banner as it rides the wind currents with an air of serene confidence. In its native habitats, the crested caracara is a ubiquitous and fascinating presence, its intelligence and adaptability making it a remarkable and resilient hunter.
Hear the Crested Caracara, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
