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Caracara is a genus in the family Falconidae and the subfamily Polyborinae. It contains one extant species, the crested caracara; and one recently extinct species, the Guadalupe caracara.
Caracaras are birds of prey in the family Falconidae. They are traditionally placed in subfamily Polyborinae with the forest falcons, [1] but are sometimes considered to constitute their own subfamily, Caracarinae, [2] or classified as members of the true falcon subfamily, Falconinae. [3]
The crested caracara (Caracara plancus), also known as the Mexican eagle, is a bird of prey in the falcon family, Falconidae (formerly in the genus Polyborus). It is found from the southern and southeastern United States through Mexico (where it is present in every state) and Central and South America, as well as some Caribbean islands .
The Crested Caracara looks like a hawk with its sharp beak and talons, behaves like a vulture, and is technically a large tropical black-and-white falcon. It is instantly recognizable standing tall on long yellow-orange legs with a sharp black cap set against a white neck and yellow-orange face.
Caracara, any of about 10 species of birds of prey of the New World subfamily Polyborinae (or Daptriinae) of the family Falconidae. Caracaras feed largely on carrion, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They are gregarious and aggressive. In spite of their smaller size, they dominate vultures when.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sep 5, 2023 · The crested caracara, Caracara plancus, is a distinctive raptor with a blend of black and white plumage complemented by a bold orange face and striking yellow legs. Despite being a member of the falcon family, Falconidae, it's often mistaken for a vulture due to its scavenging behavior.
Essential Information. Species and Subspecies. The name “caracara” is commonly applied to a number of species within the genus Caracara and also within a couple of other genera. The most well-known are the Crested Caracara ( Caracara cheriway) and the Southern Caracara ( Caracara plancus ).
