Florida Crested Caracaras Are Found Map Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Open Grassland Or Prairie
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Crested Caracara Sighting Form Nest Site: The bulky nest of slender vines and Please submit this form when you want to report a sighting sticks is usually constructed in a cabbage palm. of a Caracara in Brevard County. The normal clutch is 2 or 3 eggs, with a range of LOCATION from 1 to 4. The eggs are white to beige and heavily blotched with brown. The incubation period is about 32 to 33 days. The young re- Date:___________________ Time: _____________________ main in the nest for approximately 8 weeks. Sex- Florida Location: __________________________________________ ual maturity is reached at 3 to 4 years of age. Nearest landmark: __________________________________ Reasons for Current Protection. The primary Crested cause for the decline of the crested caracara has been habitat loss. Real estate development, cit- GPS LATTITUDE GPS LONGITUDE rus groves, tree plantations, improved pastures, and other agricultural uses are all vying for the Caracara same habitat. Less significant factors may in- clude illegal killing and trapping, increased num- BEHAVIOR bers of road kills due to a rising volume of traffic, and slow recovery from population losses be- adult #___ juvenile #___ unknown #___ cause of the caracara's low reproductive rate. walking on ground foraging flying Possible loss of genetic variability (due to the relatively small population), may make the cara- mating other ______________________________ cara more vulnerable to stresses than would otherwise be the case. Direction traveling: N E S W leg ID band carrying nesting material carrying prey item COMMENTS Bird Sighting Information Needed. Wildlife ob- servations are needed on the Crested Caracara Name in Brevard County. Please report any sightings Address by using the enclosed Sighting Form, or by con- tacting the Natural Resources Management Of- Email fice at 321-633-2016. Phone Natural Resources Management Office 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way “To protect the quality of life and Building A, Suite 219 promote a sustainable future by Viera, FL 32940 managing and conserving the natural [email protected] Photographs courtesy of Chris Koeppel resources of Brevard County” Florida Protection. This bird is protected as a Threat- Seasonal Occurrence. Locally, peak Crested Caracara ened (US Endangered Species Act) species breeding and egg-laying season is from both by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commis- December to March, but eggs have been ( Caracara cheriway) sion (FWC), and the US Fish and Wildlife Ser- recorded from September through April. vice (USFWS). In addition, the Caracara is Mating has also been documented in Bre- Description. The Crested Caracara has a protected under the federal Migratory Bird vard County outside of the normal breed- length of 21 to 23 inches, and a broad Treaty Act. Current species guidelines deline- ing season. wingspread of about 48 inches, which is ate primary (985 feet) and secondary (6600 about the size of an osprey with shorter feet) protective zones around the nests, and Status. Adult Caracaras are territorial, wings. The Caracara has long, yellow legs prohibit harassing, taking, or killing any ani- form persistent pair bonds, and exhibit and a large dark-bluish bill, with reddish- mal. It is unlawful to possess any Caracara strong site fidelity. Thus, the presence of orange skin between the eyes and the bill. (alive or dead) including parts, products, adult individuals in an area can usually be Adults have a white head and neck, with a eggs, and offspring. assumed to indicate the existence of a black cap. The breeding territory. It is estimated that majority of its Feeding Habits. The Caracara is an opportun- there are about 400 adult birds residing in body and istic feeder; its diet includes both carrion and Florida. wings are living prey. The living prey are turtles, turtle black in eggs, insects, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, adults and and small mammals. Birds are often seen dark brown in along Interstate 95, and associated roadways young birds. The foraging for road kill or discarded food con- lower abdomen, tainers within their territory. and the under- side of the tail Juvenile Caracara are white, and sometimes yellow-tinged. The breast and upper back are whitish with black bars. The tail is white with narrow dark bars and a broad, dark band along the edge of the tail. Prominent white patches are visible near the tips of the wings in flight. Adult males and females look the same. Young birds are dark brown and less colorful than adults. Caracaras live in Brevard County year-round and do not migrate. Habitat. Florida Crested Caracaras are found Map courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in open grassland or prairie. Most of this land is improved rangeland for agricultural or live- NATURAL RESOURCES stock grazing. Occupied habitat in Brevard MANAGEMENT OFFICE County has been documented as a mix of scattered cabbage palms, occasional oak Building A, Suite 219 trees, and open grassland being utilized as 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way cattle pasture or cabbage palm tree farming. Viera, FL 32940 Most habitat in Brevard County is located Phone: 321-633-2016 west of Interstate 95, and east of the St. Fax: 321-633-2029 Johns River. Email: [email protected] Useful identification points (adults shown) .