Northern Crested Caracara

WHAT ARE THE STANDARD Seminole Tribe of Florida PROTECTION MEASURES THAT ARE Environmental Resource REQUIRED? Management Department The Seminole Tribe of Florida is required by the Federal Endangered Species Act to abide by standard measures adopted to protect this endangered falcon: Audubon’s Crested 1. A caracara protection/education plan Caracara has been developed which requires WHO DO YOU CONTACT IF YOU Caracara cheriway training for all construction crews. SEE A CARACARA ON THE 2. A qualified observer/biologist will be RESERVATION? on- site for notification by construction personnel if a caracara is sighted. CONTACT YOUR DIRECT SUPERVISOR 3. If a caracara is found on the You may also contact:: construction site, all activity must cease immediately, the qualified observer Seminole Tribe of Florida’s must be notified, and the bird allowed Wildlife Biologist to move away from any dangerous area Office: (863)902-3249 x13411 on its own. Cell: (954)410-7073 Email: [email protected] Protecting Tribal Resources WHAT IS A HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY A CARACARA? CARACARA? WHAT DO THEIR NESTS LOOK LIKE? Stick nests are built in tops of cabbage palms more typically, but may also be found in pine trees and shrubs. The nests are very concealed and are not generally noticeable. WHY ARE CARACARAS IMPORTANT? Caracaras, like vultures, feed on dead animals and also help eliminate road kill throughout communities. Because populations of birds of The caracara is the most terrestrial bird in prey are declining across the nation, it is im- the falcon group. It spends a great deal of portant to secure our local populations. time on the ground. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU It prefers open habitats, typically * Males and females look the same SEE A CARACARA? grassland, prairie, or pastures with scattered taller trees, particularly cabbage Immature (left): If you encounter a caracara, avoid all contact palms, to nest in. May use sparsely wood- Brown back with it. If you are driving a vehicle or heavy ed areas and brushland if patches of trees Pale buff neck and throat equipment, stop, cease operation and allow are interspersed with expanses of open Pale breast streaked with dark brown the bird to fly out of the area. Do not harm or grassland. harass the bird in any way. Please contact Caracaras usually feed on carrion Adult (right): your supervisor or the number at the back of (dead animals) but they will take Black back and belly this pamphlet and report the location and advantage of any food opportunity. Breast and upper back marked by fine, dark circumstances. Caracaras also hunt live food on the bars ground or take food from other birds. Black cap with slight crest at rear of head White tail with black barring and thick ter- minal band CARACARAS ARE LISTED AS A Long yellow legs THREATENED SPECIES FEDERALLY AND Long neck, especially apparent in flight BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA Medium-sized, broad-winged, long-tailed Thick, gray hooked beak, with reddish, bare facial skin around eye .

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