English              -            Southern Caracara

Portuguese       -            Caracara

Latin                  -             Caracara plancus

The southern caracara, also known as the southern crested caracara or carancho, is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae. The Southern Caracara is characterized by a dark brownish-black forehead, crown and nape. The crown extends back as a short crest. The chin, throat, cheek and ear coverts are white or pale brownish-yellow. The bare skin in front of the eye is red (turning yellow when excited). The upper back feathers are whitish with wedge shaped black tips. The lower back is brownish with white bars. The breast is whitish, heavily barred blackis brown, becoming almost solid blackish brown on the abdomen, and turning to white barred with lighter brown on the under tail coverts. The wings are dark brownish-black. The legs and feet are yellow and the bill is bluish at the base and tipped whitish or yellowish. Adult pairs are generally monogamous and highly territorial exhibiting strong site fidelity. The pair bond is maintained year-round, and individuals may remain paired for many years. 

They build a nest in tall vegetation or tree-like structure commanding wide views. The nests are bulky yet woven. They may be re-used for several years. A clutch consists of 2 eggs, sometimes 1 or 3, rarely 4, which are incubated by both parents for 30-33 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge at an age of 7-8 weeks. 

They feed on insects; small and occasionally large vertebrates, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals; eggs; and carrion of all types. They cannot open large carcasses; but wait for vultures to arrive then scares them off after they have opened the carcass up. They are suspected of attacking and killing newborn lambs and goats, for which they have suffered heavy persecution; but here is little evidence to suggest that this actually happens.

The southern caracara is found in most parts of South America. It avoids the Andean highlands and dense humid forest, such as the Amazon rainforest. It is listed as “least concerned” by Bird Life International, so is not under immediate threat. In fact, it is likely that they will benefit from the widespread deforestation in tropical South America.

Photo of the southern Caracara was taken at Praia da Costa, Vila Velha, Brazil. There are always two of them there and they seem to scavenge around the rubbish bins on the beach first thing in the mornings. I’m finding it hard to get good photos of them because they are always very alert and don’t allow you to get too close and as soon as the sun comes up they seem to scatter to another place inland. But most mornings I get up early and try and try again.