Fauna
Bird

Crested Caracara

Caracara cheriway

Also known as Northern Crested Caracara, Mexican Eagle

Crested caracaras are unusual, long-legged falcons that spend significant time walking and running on the ground in search of meals. They frequently associate with vultures at carcasses, often dominating feeding aggregations despite their slightly smaller size by using aggressive postures and sharp bills. Pairs bond for multiple seasons, performing striking head-rolling displays and noisy rattling calls during courtship atop isolated trees or utility poles.

RaptorScavengerOmnivore
Crested Caracara reference
Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyRoadkill Carrion, Small Rodents, Lizards
Predators
  • Coyote
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Raccoon
ThreatsHabitat conversion, vehicle collisions, and pesticide exposure
HabitatsOpen grasslands, pastures, scrublands, deserts, and savanna edges
Life span15–25 years
Classification
  1. FamilyFalconidae
  2. SpeciesCaracara cheriway
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
  • Scan Open Perches: Look for solitary birds perched atop utility poles, fence posts, or solitary cabbage palms.
  • Watch Scavenger Gatherings: Check flocks of vultures along country highways, where caracaras frequently join to claim carrion.
  • Keep Distance at Nests: Avoid lingering near cabbage palms or thorny trees where breeding pairs build bulky stick nests.
Related species
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