Southern Caracara
Caracara plancus
Also known as: Crested Caracara, Southern Crested Caracara
Habitat
Ground
Diet
VertFishScav
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
1.1 kg
About This Species
A bold, ground-foraging falcon relative of open grassland, farmland and roadside habitat across South America, often seen walking on the ground or perched prominently on fence posts and low trees. It is an opportunistic feeder, taking carrion, small animals and scraps, and is frequently found around roadkill or livestock areas rather than hunting on the wing like typical falcons. It can be encountered year-round and is often unusually approachable compared with other raptors.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because it tolerates human activity well, a respectful distance of several metres is usually sufficient without needing to approach closely, and it should never be fed or baited to draw it in.
- Raptor protection laws apply across its range but differ by country in scope and enforcement, so check local rules before photographing nests or roosts.
- Avoid disturbing nest sites, particularly during the breeding season.
LCAvesFalconiformesFalconidae
Seasonal Activity
1,391,683 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Falconiformes
- Family
- Falconidae
Traits
- Diet
- VertFishScav
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 1.1 kg
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.