Northern Crested Caracara

The Northern Crested Caracara occupies open country from Texas, Florida, and Arizona south through Mexico and Central America into northern South America, often seen walking on the ground in pastures or perched on fence posts and utility poles.

Its feathers are essentially a near match to the closely related Crested Caracara of southern South America, with a black cap, cream and finely barred neck/breast, and a dark tail ending in a pale band, since the two were only recently split as separate species.

Because it readily scavenges carrion and forages in open, human-altered landscapes, feathers are commonly found along roadsides, ranchland, and agricultural fields.

Shape and size

• Flight feathers are broad and rounded, suited to soaring and ground foraging rather than fast pursuit, with primaries around 28-34 cm.
• Tail feathers are broad with fine barring and a dark 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.
• Lower body and wing feathers are blackish-brown.
• Shafts are pale on neck/breast feathers, dark on cap and body feathers.

Similar species

• Nearly identical to the Crested Caracara of southern South America; range is the main separator, with this species occurring from the southern US through Central America and into northern South America rather than the southern cone.

Adults show a black cap, cream and finely barred neck/breast, blackish body, and a dark tail with a pale tip, sexes similar. Juveniles are browner with streaked rather than barred breast feathers, gradually molting into the crisper adult pattern.

Found in open grassland, scrub, and savanna from the southern United States (Texas, Florida, Arizona) through Mexico and Central America into Colombia, Venezuela, and other parts of northern South America. It is largely resident with only local movements.

An opportunistic forager that scavenges carrion and hunts small vertebrates and insects on the ground, often walking with a distinctive gait. Builds a bulky stick nest in trees, cacti, or on artificial structures. Voice is a harsh rattling call.

Field note: a black cap feather or barred cream breast feather found in open ranchland or roadside habitat from the southern US through Central America is a good match for this species.