Yellow-headed Caracara

Gelbkopfkarakara in Greifvogelwarte Feldatal

The Gelbkopfkarakara ( Milvago chimachima ) is a small Caracara, which occurs mainly in the northern and central South America. It forms with the Chimangokarakara together the genus Milvago. Its English name " Yellow-headed Caracara " also refers to its plumage color.

Features

The Gelbkopfkarakara has a cream / beige colored plumage. Its elytra are black brown. At the top it has a black stripe behind the eye. Its tail is slightly banded. He reached a size of 40-46 cm and a wingspan of 81-95 cm. As with almost all birds of prey, the male is slightly smaller than the female. The male specimens weigh 300 grams, the female 340 g

Food and foraging

As gerfalcon he eats carrion, of course, usually of smaller animals. Very often you can watch the Gelbkopfkarakara in grazing livestock and other large animals, which he scans for ticks and other insects. Like many other Caracaras he also often paws the ground for insects, worms and other invertebrates. In addition, you can also call him Nahrungsopportunist.