Caracara prelutosus (SciiFii)

The La Brea caracara (Caracara prelutosus), also known as the northern crested caracara and the North American crested caracara, is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae that originally lived in California during the Late Pleistocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, and deserts across the western United States and Mexico to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the La Brea caracara is the southern crested caracara (Caracara plancus). The La Brea caracara has a total length of 50–65 cm (20–26 in) and a wingspan of 120–132 cm (47–52 in). Its weight is 0.9–1.6 kg (2.0–3.5 lb), averaging 1,348 g (2.972 lb). Individuals from the colder northern part of its range average larger than those from tropical or subtropical regions (as predicted by Bergmann's rule) and are the largest type of caracara. The cap, belly, thighs, most of the wings and tail-tip are dark brownish, the auriculars (feathers surrounding the ear), throat and nape are whitish-buff, and the chest, neck, mantle, back, uppertail-coverts, crissum (the undertail coverts surrounding the cloaca) and basal part of the tail are whitish-buff barred dark brownish. In flight, the outer primaries show a large conspicuous whitish-buff patch ('window'), as in several other species of caracaras. The legs are yellow and the bare facial skin and cere are deep yellow to reddish-orange. Juveniles resemble adults, but are paler, with streaking on the chest, neck and back, grey legs, and whitish, later pinkish-purple, facial skin and cere. A bold, opportunistic raptor, the La Brea caracara is often seen walking around on the ground looking for food. It mainly feeds on carcasses of dead animals, but will steal food from other raptors, raid bird nests, and take live prey if the possibility arises (mostly insects or other small prey, but at least up to the size of a snowy egret). It may also eat fruit. It is dominant over the black and turkey vulture at carcasses. The La Brea caracara will take live prey that has been flushed by wildfire, cattle, and farming equipment. The opportunistic nature of this species means that the La Brea caracara seeks out the phenomena associated with its food, e.g. wildfires and circling vultures. It is typically solitary, but several individuals may gather at a large food source (e.g. dumps). Breeding takes place in spring/summer in the southern part of its range, but timing is less strict in warmer regions. The nest is a large open structure, typically placed on the top of a tree or palm, but sometimes on the ground. The average clutch size is two eggs. The conservation status of the La Brea caracara is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the La Brea caracara's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii