Black Caracara

The Black Caracara is a champion when it comes for finding an easy meal.

Black Caracara's are residents of Kabalebo. They are easy identified by their bare facial skin that is either orange or yellow. With a length of 46 cm it is not easily overlooked. Second to notice is that they are making no effort to stay under the radar.

They are rather seen in a small group or as a pair. Sometimes they mingle with the Black Vulture family whenever there is some free food to available.

Black Caracara's (Daptrius ater) are locally known as Ger' futu busikaka. They are rather known as scavengers than as birds of prey. Black Caracara's are those birds that are looking for the easy way to find food. I have seen them regularly on the feeder where we usually set out food for the tanagers and flycatchers. 

Hatchlings, fruit, insects, rice ... are all part of their diverse menu. Black Caracara's are also not welcome near tanagers or flycatchers families as they like to eat the hatchlings from their nests. Whenever a Black Caracara is too close near these birds you will see their skills performed in mid air by trying to chase or scare away the Black Caracara's. These tanagers or flycatchers will dive as low as possible right above the Caracara's head in order to keep them as far as possible of their nests.