Crested Caracara - Polyborus plancus

This bird is the emblem of the Mexican people. It throws its head back, puffs up the feathers on its throat and makes its characteristic cry. There is no clear explanation for this behaviour as yet – the commonly-held assumption is that it is a display for attracting a mate. This is both a necrophageous bird and a predator. Readily aggressive, it steals from vultures, forcing them to regurgitate their meals which it grabs for itself. The species called Polyborus lutosus completely disappeared from the Mexican island of Guadalupe in 1900.

First chick hatched at Le Rocher des Aigles : 19 April, 1991

CLASS : Aves
ORDER : Falconiformes
FAMILY : Falconidae
WINGSPAN : 1.2 m
WEIGHT : 840 – 1,300 g
CLUTCH SIZE : 2 eggs
INCUBATION : 28-32 days
LIFE EXPECTANCY : 20 years
DIET : an opportunistic bird, it feeds on carrion and carcasses, as well as on living prey (freshwater turtles, iguanas, reptiles, insects, etc.)
NATURAL HABITAT : all types of open countryside, in plains and at mid-altitude, pastureland, on riverbanks, in woodland and swamps
RANGE : South America

Conservation status info

LC : Least Concern