Northern Caracara

Caracara plancus

Also known as:Crested Caracara

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

58 cm (23") Uncommon. Southern prairies, open scrublands.

A day flying raptor with hooked bill and hooked claws. Large scavenger; associates with vultures. Large head, long neck, red face, black crest. Long legs.

In flight; white head and chest, white wing patch near tip of rounded wing. Black banded whitish tail.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Credit: Terry-Davis

Credit: Dave Curtis

Credit: Ross Tsai

Piedras Blancas, San Luis Obispo Co., CA, USA. February 10, 2012

Credit: Bill Bouton

Watch and learn

Videos

2 videos

Crested Caracara, West Windsor, New Jersey

Credit: Greg Gard

Crested Caracara in HD

Credit: wahoohiker

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Northern Caracara

2 rules

Rule 1 15 criteria confidence 2

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the wings and underbody · On the undertail coverts · On the head, neck, and/or tail · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How did the bird hold its wings in flight ?: Held straight with the horizon · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:396-crested-caracara:1:1 Source: 396 Crested Caracara, row 1

Rule 2 11 criteria confidence 2

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Barred crosswise (from side to side) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:396-crested-caracara:2:1 Source: 396 Crested Caracara, row 2