English              -             Yellow-headed caracara

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The Yellow-headed Caracara was a common sight when I was staying at REGUA. (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) It was a species that I would see on a daily basis, mostly when I was walking around the wetlands. (yellow trail) They seemed to be a nervous bird that was easily alarmed but with all wildlife photography, patience is the key and with a bit of patience can get reasonable close to them to get good photos. Being an easily alarmed bird though there is always a good chance of getting some good “wing action” photos. Photos 1,2,3 are of Adult Yellow-headed Caracara. Photo No.4 is off a Juvenile.

* The Yellow-headed Caracara is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae. 

* It has a length of around 46 cm, a wingspan of 75cm and can weigh up to 360g.

* It’s a fairly small bird of prey. Like most falcons, the female is larger than the male.

* Yellow-headed Caracara screams “schreee”, growls “kraa-kraa-kraa”, and thin, hissing whistles.

* It is found in Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Venezuela, Guiana, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina.

* The Yellow-headed Caracara frequents open areas with some trees, cultivated areas, pastures, swamps, forest edges and along streams.

* It’s a Omnivorous species that feeds on carrion, insects, fish, amphibians, fruits of the oil palm Elaeis, maize and horse dung. It is well known for picking off ticks from cattle.

* The female lays 1 to 2 eggs, incubation is for about 30 days. The young fledge after 40 days of age. 

* The Yellow-headed Caracara is widespread and common. It’s range and numbers appear to be spreading as a result from deforestation for cattle farming. It is also a common sight in urban areas in Latin American cities. The Yellow-headed Caracara is classified as a species ”of least concern”.