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Southern Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

 

The Crested Caracara is a medium-sized, bulky raptor with long legs. Its flat head is topped with a shaggy crest. The bill is heavy with a sharp tip.

 

Crested Caracaras often fly close to the ground with slow and powerful wingbeats. In flight they hold their wings flat similar to a Bald Eagle and don't teeter like a vulture. They are equally adept at walking on the ground as they are in the air. Crested Caracaras often join vultures to feed on carrion.

 

The southern crested caracara (Caracara plancus), also known as the southern caracara or carancho, is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae. The classification of this species and name have evolved. The use of the name southern caracara is now restricted to a bird that is found in central and southern South America.

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Uploaded on July 16, 2020
Taken on September 18, 2012