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Crested Caracara


Crested Caracara
Photo Information
Copyright: Ricardo Kuehn (ryyck) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 176] (994)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon A60
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-01-03 5:10
Viewed: 1990
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Crested Caracara (Polyborus plancus)

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Polyborus
Species: P. plancus

The Crested Caracara, Polyborus plancus (or Caracara cheriway according to the AOU), is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is the only living member of the genus Polyborus (Vieillot, 1816) following the extinction of the Guadalupe Caracara. Unlike the Falco falcons in the same family, the caracaras are not fast-flying aerial hunters, but are rather sluggish and often scavengers.

The Crested Caracara is a resident breeder in most of South and Central America, just reaching the southernmost parts of the USA, including Florida, where it is resident but listed as threatened.

This is a bird of open country, which nests in a tree or on the ground, laying 2 to 4 eggs. It is 58 cm long with a 125 cm wingspan.

The Crested Caracara is broad-winged and long-tailed. It also has long legs and frequently walks and runs on the ground. It is very cross-shaped in flight. The adult has a black body, wings, crest and crown. The neck, rump, and conspicuous wing patches are white, and the tail is white with black barring and a broad terminal band. The breast is white, finely barred with black. The bill is thick, grey and hooked, and the cere is red. This species has bare skin around the eye that can change color in seconds. Sexes are similar, but immature birds have a brown back, buff neck and throat, and pale breast streaked with brown. The voice of this species is a low rattle.

The Crested Caracara is omnivorous, and will eat reptiles, amphibians and other small animals as well as carrion.

The Crested Caracara is a national symbol of Mexico and appears on the Mexican coat of arms and flag. Thus it is sometimes called the "Mexican eagle".

Source: http://www.answers.com/crested%20caracara
olontur, Merlin, marmottelolo, Robespierre, scottevers7, peter_stoeckl has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

A perfect shot!
Congratulations, Ricarcdo!
Especially as I'm absolutely in love with tight framings. But everything else is perfect as well: the color, DOF, POV and all the other abbrevations are just in place. Keep up the great work!

Smiles and the best to you,
Sam

A very striking image, Ricardo, with good DOF and exposure. Well done - it's always nice to see an original viewpoint!
Regards, Nigel.

  • Great 
  • reina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 261 W: 1 N: 322] (1992)
  • [2006-01-03 8:30]

Hi Ricardo, sharp as a knife, well done, agree with Nigel original POV. Congratulations.
Salut Reina

Awesone closeup Ricardo. Any closer and we could read it's mind.

Nicely done

great macro :) Looks like it's looking through my screen ! Gratz.

bonjour ricardo
excellent,la couleur du bec,les details,la netteté tous est la.
laurent

Hi Ricardo

Simple, but very effective shot. Crisp, clear and sharp. TFS

The levelof detail is amazing, we can perfectly distinguish the cage and almost see you tere in the caracara's eye...

Hi Ricardo,
An absolute original picture of this Caracara. I like the bright colours and the overall shapness of this shot. Good job! TFS and regards, Ruud.

Hi Ricardo,
I love this extreme tightly cropped shot. The colors are eye popping! Razor sharp detail. Artistic and unique. Extremely well done. 10 points in my book!
Scott

Excellent one. Such closeup is very rare among bird shots. Very interesting composition. Excellent sharpness and details.

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