Crested Caracara

The Crested Caracara (sometimes called the Southern Caracara) is a large, long-legged raptor of open grassland and pampas across southern South America, often seen walking on the ground or perched prominently on posts and low trees.

Its feathers combine a solid black cap and body with a cream-white neck and finely barred upper breast, plus a distinctive dark tail with a broad pale terminal band, a pattern that stands apart from most other raptors sharing its open-country range.

Because it forages extensively on the ground and scavenges carrion, feathers are often found in open pasture, roadside habitat, and near carcasses rather than deep forest.

Shape and size

• Flight feathers are broad and rounded, reflecting a more generalist, ground-foraging lifestyle rather than fast aerial pursuit; primaries can reach 30-35 cm.
• Tail feathers are broad with fine dark barring and a broad blackish subterminal band followed by a pale tip.

Color and pattern

• Cap and crest feathers are solid black.
• Neck and upper breast feathers are cream to white with fine dark barring.
• Body and wing feathers below the breast are solid blackish-brown.
• Shafts are pale on neck/breast feathers, dark on cap and body feathers.

Similar species

• Distinguished from the Northern Crested Caracara mainly by range (southern South America vs. from Texas/Florida through northern South America); the two are very similar in feather pattern where ranges approach each other.

Adults show a black cap, cream neck and finely barred upper breast, blackish body, and a dark tail with a pale tip. Sexes are similar. Juveniles are browner overall with more streaking than barring on the breast, molting into the crisper adult pattern over roughly a year or two.

Found in open grassland, pampas, and savanna across Uruguay, Paraguay, much of Argentina, southern Brazil, and Chile. It is largely resident, though some individuals may wander locally.

An opportunistic feeder that scavenges carrion and also hunts small vertebrates and insects, often walking on the ground. Builds a bulky stick nest in trees or on structures. Its call is a harsh, rattling series, sometimes given with the head thrown back.

Field note: a broad, barred breast feather or a black cap feather found in open pampas or grassland in southern South America, especially near roadside carrion, is a good match for this species.