Facts about Northern Caracara
- 09
Caracaras are the only members of the falcon family known to build stick nests in trees or on the ground rather than using cavities or adopting other birds' nests.
- 08
During courtship displays, Northern Caracaras perform dramatic cartwheeling aerial maneuvers with their wings locked together as they plummet toward the ground before pulling up at the last moment.
- 07
Unlike most raptors that rely on talons, Northern Caracaras use their hooked beaks to tear open tough skin on carrion, resembling vultures more than typical birds of prey.
- 06
Northern Caracaras possess an unusually long tail compared to other raptors, which aids their balance and maneuverability while walking and running across ground terrain.
- 05
Found throughout the southern United States into Central and South America, Northern Caracaras inhabit open savannas and grasslands where they can spot prey and carrion from the ground.
- 04
A caracara's facial skin displays bright yellow or orange coloring that intensifies during breeding season, signaling reproductive readiness to potential mates.
- 03
Pairs of Northern Caracaras perform elaborate duetting vocalizations with synchronized calls that strengthen their year-round pair bonds.
- 02
Scavenging comprises approximately 60 percent of the Northern Caracara's diet, making it far more dependent on carrion than most other raptors.
- 01
The Northern Caracara can run up to 25 miles per hour on the ground, making it unusually swift among raptors that typically hunt from the air.