Striated Caracara or Falklands-Caracara: Phalcoboenus australis
I photographed this bird on my trip to the Hawk Conservancy Trust last week. I have waited before posting this one because I wanted to do some research first. I had never encountered these birds before. Quite comical to watch, with a quick-march military gait, they seem to be quite different to the rest of the falcon family.
Caracaras are true falcons, but not aerial hunters. They are scavengers and opportunists. This one is from the Falkland Islands where there is a small breeding population. The Falklands Caracara likes to live near the penguins. The caracara birds generally are not accomplished fliers like the rest of the falcons. They spend most of thier time on the ground running around. They are specialised ground scavengers and the only members of the falcon family to take this habit. Other caracara bird species are wide-spread in South America.
Photographer, writer, teacher :: Live honestly. Progress through knowledge. Achieve by teaching. Communicate in writing. Speak in pictures. Every day, improve the world a little...
