Striated Caracara
Striated Caracara ( Phalcoboenus australis)
The Striated Caracara ( Phalcoboenus australis) is a species of vulture hawks ( Polyborinae ), leading to the Falk -like ( Falconidae ) are counted. With a distribution that is restricted to the coasts of the Falkland Islands and the islands of Tierra del Fuego, it is one of the rarest birds of prey in the world.
Features
The Striated Caracara reaches a height 58-63 centimeters with a wingspan 40-42 cm, the females are slightly larger than males. The body weight in the males reached a maximum of about 1300 grams, 1700 grams in females. With these body measurements of the bird is about one powerfully built Buzzard ( Buteo buteo) and is built much more compact compared to other gerfalcons.
The plumage is mostly dark brown to black with a white striation ( why is this bird in the English language called ' Striated Caracara ') and a reddish -brown to cinnamon-colored belly coloration that extends to the underside of tail and also on the plumage of the legs ( pants). The beak is strongly developed and has a bluish coloration of the upper mandible, which is to bein colored yellow towards the tip. The cere and face are salmon to orange. The legs are bright yellow orange and equipped with powerful claws.
Dissemination
The Striated Caracara lives in the extreme south of South America to the offshore islands of Tierra del Fuego. The core area form the Falkland Islands and the islands off Tierra del Fuego, both in Chile and in the Argentine territory. These include the Isla de los Estados ( States Island ) and Navarino, the islands of the archipelago off Cape Horn ( Grevy, Bayly, Freycinet, Hershel ). You may include the distribution area also Woodcock - Iceland in the Beagle Channel and Yedegaia, but of which there are only individual observations.
On the mainland coasts it can emerge as a guest opportunity, home is here but only the Weißkehlkarakara ( P. albogularis ), with its area of distribution, the Striated Caracara on the current knowledge does not overlap ( Parapatrie ). Sympatric with the Striated Caracara Caracara of ( Polyborus plancus ) can be found, which is found on the South American continent and colonized the Falkland Islands. A likelihood of confusion with the representatives of these two species is not, since they are both characterized by excessive white parts in the plumage, the Caracara also has a significant feather crown, which he owes to his name.
Habitat
The habitat of the Striated Caracara is characterized by rocky coastlines and mountain ranges as well as sparsely vegetated with tussock grass lowlands. Only occasionally it penetrates even in wooded areas. Here, you can find him at altitudes up to about 500 meters.