North American mountain caracara (SciiFii)

The North American mountain caracara (Phalcoboenus notabilis) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, most closely related to the South American mountain caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, deserts, and mountainous regions across North America to help boost biodiversity. A medium-sized caracara with a faintly blue beak tip turning to bright yellow-orange, strongly contrasted by the jet-black feathers of its head, back and chest. Its rump, belly and upper tail and undertail coverts are pure white, changing sharply from black to white between the belly and chest. Its black wings have small white shoulder patches and it has white spots on some of its outer primaries. The wing length of the North American mountain caracara ranges from 358 to 403 mm, giving it a medium-sized wing for a caracara, but a comparatively short tail. Despite an important food source being carcasses, the North American mountain caracara's head and throat remain feathered (unlike some vultures), and only its lores are kept naked. Its legs are yellow and the males and females look similar, while the juveniles are brown. When group foraging, an adult who finds a rock worth turning over will call out to attract the rest of its nearby party. A flight call has also been recorded. A highly opportunistic bird commonly seen walking on the ground, the North American mountain caracara feeds on both carrion and virtually any small animal it can catch. These birds scratch and stamp at the dirt to scare up bugs from the ground and flip over rocks to find more arthropods and even rodents. Group foraging behaviour has been observed and several birds are able to overturn rocks that would be impossible for a single bird to move on its own. These groups are most often formed by a couple of adults and a juvenile that combine their efforts in search of food. Lone North American mountain caracaras are also known to follow vehicles that would periodically throw out scraps of food. Being opportunistic feeders, they have adapted well to living near humans and are more concentrated near cities where they are more likely to be able to feast on carrion and refuse. The caracara species are unique among the family Falconidae in that they build their own nests of sticks, though these can range from a bare minimum of materials to quite a substantial amount; some nests consist merely of an empty cliff ledge while others are massive weaves of branches. Breeding season is from March to June and the nest will usually contain three eggs, and very rarely four, that hatch between June or September. The chicks have fledged and are independent between October and January, though they may stay with their parents for months afterward. The conservation status of the North American mountain caracara is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American mountain caracara's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii