(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S; CARACARA; CARACARA, AUDUBON'S;CARACARA, COMMON; CARACARA, CRESTED; EAGLE, CARACARA;EAGLE, MEXICAN; BUZZARD, MEXICAN; BUZZARD and KING
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Birds
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - AVES,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - FALCONIFORMES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - FALCONIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - POLYBORUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - PLANCUS, AUDUBONII
SCIENTIFIC NAME - POLYBORUS PLANCUS AUDUBONII
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Audubon's Crested Caracara
Polyborus plancus audubonii Cassin, 1865
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Bird
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Falconiformes FAMILY: Falconidae
Audubon's crested caracara, Polyborus plancus audubonii, is a
large, boldly patterned hawk with a crest, naked face, heavy bill,
elongate neck, and unusually long legs. It has a length of about 20
to 25 inches (50-64 cm) and a wingspread of 48 inches (1.2 m). The
adult is dark brownish black on the crown, wings, lower back, and
upper abdomen. The lower part of the head, throat, lower abdomen, and
under tail coverts are white, sometimes tinged with yellowish; and the
breast and upper back are whitish, heavily barred with black. The
tail is white with narrow dark crossbars and a broad dark tip.
Prominent white patches are visible near the tips of the wings in
flight. Juveniles have a similar color pattern but are brownish and
buffy with the breast and upper back streaked instead of barred.
Subadults resemble adults but are duller. Adults have reddish-orange
facial skin and yellow legs. Juveniles have pinkish facial skin and
gray legs (01).
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
Synonyms found in the scientific literature are:
Polyborus vulgaris Audubon 1834
Polyborus plancus cheriway Jaquin
Polyborus cheriway audubonii Cassin 1865
Caracara cheriway audubonii (Cassin) 1865
The type locality is in the vicinity of St. Augustine, St. Johns
County, Florida, an area in which the subspecies is no longer resident
(01,02,03,04).
Other common names include caracara, Audubon's caracara, crested
caracara, common caracara, caracara eagle, Mexican eagle, Mexican
buzzard, and king buzzard.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Florida; Federal Threatened
Florida; Officially Listed
T: Federal Threatened
Federal Migratory
Non-consumptive recreational
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Audubon's crested caracara (Polyborus plancus audubonii) has
been designated a Threatened species pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884;
16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The subspecies has this status
wherever found including the State of Florida. Critical Habitat has
not been designated.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation, or foreign law; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
The subspecies is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
(16 U.S.C. 703-711 et seq.) at the specific level under the name
Polyborus plancus, crested caracara (50 CFR 10.13).
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
BIA -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Bureau of Indian Affairs
lands.
DOD -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16
U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park
Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of
Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).
USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The
Forest Service is responsible for integrating
management, protection, and conservation of Federally
listed species into the Forest Planning process
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20).
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Florida
DESIGNATED STATUS: Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: FL Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission
STATE STATUTE: Wildlife Code of the State of Florida, Title 39,
Florida Admin. Code.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Audubon's crested caracara has positive value as a scavenger,
helping to dispose of dead animals. It is a spectacular bird with
aesthetic value and has non-consumptive recreational interest to bird
watchers. It has negative value in that it consumes some useful
native fish, birds, mammals, and invertebrates.
86/06/23:51 FR 22838-22842 - Proposed rule, list as Threatened
87/07/06:52 FR 25229/25232 - Final rule, listed as Threatened
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Cropland and Pasture
Herbaceous Rangeland
Mixed Rangeland
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
In Florida, the Audubon's crested caracara (Polyborus plancus
audubonii) is restricted mainly to open prairie regions in the center
of the State; its center of abundance is the great Kissimmee prairie
north of Lake Okeechobee. This prairie is a large, low, flat, grassy
plain, drained by the Kissimmee River and a few small streams. It is
dotted with numerous shallow ponds and sloughs, and especially near
the river there are many small hammocks of large live oaks and
cabbage palmetto. It requires cabbage palms for nesting (01).
Scattered all over the prairie are clumps of saw palmetto, a few
scrubby oaks, numerous solitary cabbage palmettos, and an occasional
small clump of cypress. The caracara is not a woodland bird and is
seldom seen in the pines and still more rarely in the cypress country
(06).
The caracara is a bird of the open country. Dry prairies with
scattered cabbage palms and wetter areas constitute the typical
habitat although it also occurs in improved pasturelands and even in
relatively wooded areas with more limited stretches of grassland (01).
Audubon's crested caracara usually perches on a fence post, mound of
earth, or other exposed place. They often gather about
slaughterhouses to feed on what is thrown out (06).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Arthropods
General Crustaceans
General Worms
General Fish
General Amphibia
General Reptilia
General Aves
General Mammalia
General Carrion
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G
G Snags: Unknown
G Availability of fence rows: roadside ditches and grassy
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
Audubon's crested caracara (Polyborus plancus audubonii) feeds on
carrion, which probably constitutes a large portion of its food. They
often gather about slaughterhouses to feed on what is thrown out.
They also feed on any dead mammal (large or small), bird, or reptile
that they can find. In addition, they hunt and kill many small
animals. Among their prey are: rabbits, skunks, prairie dogs,
opossums, rats, mice, squirrels, snakes, frogs, lizards, young
alligators, turtles, crabs, crayfish, fishes, young birds, beetles,
grasshoppers, maggots, and worms (06).
The caracara is highly opportunistic in its feeding habits,
eating carrion, capturing live prey, and harassing vultures until they
disgorge their meals. The diet includes insects and other
invertebrates, fish, snakes, turtles, birds, and mammals (01).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Little is known about home range or territory of this bird. Both
male and female build the nest, but apparently are not too agressive
in defending it. The male lookout is stationed conspicuously near the
nest, but flushes when an intruder is some distance away. Almost any
small bird would probably drive one away from the vicinity of its nest
(06). Pairs occupy a more or less exclusive home range, although
occasionally larger groups of individuals are encountered (01).
PERIODICITY:
Diurnal, active year round (06).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Being a semitropical bird, Audubon's crested caracara is resident
throughout the year over most of its range, including Florida (06).
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Audubon's crested caracara usually perches on a fence post, dead
tree, mound of earth, or other exposed place. It requires cabbage
palms for nesting (01).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Nests are well concealed in the tops of cabbage palmettoes,
usually 12 to 55 feet above the ground (03,06). One, found 25 feet up
in a cabbage palmetto on the edge of a live oak hammock, was described
as being a bulky structure, loosely made of slender twigs, mainly the
fruiting cluster of the palmetto, and was lined with fine bits of the
same material (06). The nests are made of green tough bushes, broken
off by the birds, and sometimes briars, piled up in a heap and
trampled down until quite a decent hollow is made. Usually the nests
are unlined, but at times a few green leaves, or pieces of grape vines
are placed in the hollow. Consequently, eggs usually rest only upon a
crude mass of rough, dried stems of bushes (07).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Audubon's crested caracara is one of the earliest of Florida's
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
raptors to begin nesting. It begins to lay eggs sometime in early
December. The height of the nesting season is, however, in January
and February, but even as late as April, nests with eggs may be found
(08). Two or three eggs, more often two and very rarely four, are
laid. Incubation lasts for about 28 days and is shared by both sexes.
Ordinarily only one brood is raised in a season, but, if the eggs are
taken, a second or even a third set may be laid (06).
PARENTAL CARE:
Young are fledged at about 8 weeks of age. Pairs associate year
round, and occupy a more or less exclusive home range. Occasionally
larger groups of individuals are encountered (01). One female
remained on the nest until approached to within 4 feet, when she flew
to a stub about 12 feet away and watched. The male soon joined her
and they together uttered rasping, cackling noises with their heads
bent back upon their backs (03). A.C. Bent (06) wrote, "Almost any
small bird would probably drive one away from the vicinity of its
nest, or at least attempt to do so."
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
One bird was kept in captivity for at least 12 years (06).
Primary limiting factor appears to be loss of native prairie habitat
due to agricultural and residential development (01,04,05). It is
believed that caracaras might have a high recovery potential since
they are rather generalized falconids, and likely to be adaptable to
changes in habitat through proper, human-assisted acclimatization
(10). No other information is available.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
None.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
The caracara's pose, in flight is much like that of the bald
eagle, having a much longer neck and tail, and a slenderer form than
most other hawks. Its color pattern is also distinctive, especially
the head markings; the large white patches in the primaries, and the
white tail, broadly tipped with black, are both very conspicuous in
flight and can be recognized at a long distance (06).
The caracara habitually rests perching, usually in the very top
of a high tree or on some steep hillock. Often in the morning, or
before sundown, it throws back its head until it almost touches its
shoulders and gives a high, cackling cry which resembles its Brazilian
name of "caracara" (06). Its flight is strong and graceful, often
performed in large circles at great height (09).
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse
Existing
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Audubon's crested caracara, Polyborus plancus audubonii, is a
bird of the open prairie country and nearby water areas having
scattered cabbage palms for nesting. Large areas of this type have
been lost in south-central Florida to citrus groves, tree plantations,
improved pastures (grazing), other agricultural uses, and real estate
development (01,04,05).
Despite protective laws caracaras are still being killed in the
erroneous belief that they are predators on newborn calves or because
their large size and conspicuousness make them tempting targets for
vandals (01,04,05).
Population growth in south-central Florida has resulted in
increased number of roads (disturbed habitat from construction and
associated heavy equipment) and greater traffic. This, along with the
caracara's prediliction for feeding along roads has probably increased
mortality (01).
Florida's human population continues to increase annually thus
increasing the threats listed above (05).
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No recovery plan has been initiated as yet. The target date is
in fiscal year 1988.
Anticipated recovery actions include:
1. Protect existing habitat on Federal lands; rehabilitate such
lands where possible.
2. Purchase or obtain easements on privately owned lands wherever
possible.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
3. Encourage maintenance of suitable habitat on privately owned
lands.
4. Discourage conversion of native prairie to pastureland or to
developments for residential and commercial purposes.
5. Strictly enforce laws to protect birds against indiscriminate
killing by vandals or others.
6. Inform the public about the uniqueness of this bird as part of
Florida's native fauna.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CARACARA, CRESTED, AUDUBON'S
Species Id ESIS104014
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Layne, J.N. 1978. Threatened, Audubon's caracara. Pages 34-36.
IN: Rare and endangered biota of Florida. Vol. 2, Birds. Univ.
Presses of Florida, Gainesville. 121 pp.
02 Stevenson, H.M. 1976. Vertebrates of Florida. Univ. Presses of
Florida. 607 pp.
03 Sprunt, A., Jr. 1954. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, Inc.
N.Y. and National Audubon Soc. 527 pp.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. June 23, 1986. Proposed
threatened status for the Florida population of Audubon's crested
caracara. Fed. Reg. 51:22838-22842.
05 Layne, J.N. 1985. Audubon's caracara. Florida Wildlife 39:40-42.
06 Bent, A.C. 1961. Life histories of North American birds of prey,
Vol. 1. Dover Publ., Inc., New York. 482 pp.
07 Nicholson, D.J. 1928. The Audubon caracara of Florida. Oologist
45:2-8.
08 Nicholson, D.J. 1929. The Audubon caracara. Florida Nat.
2:67-69.
09 Howell, A.H. 1932. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, Inc., New
York. 579 pp.
10 Cade, T.J. 1986. [Letter of August 21, to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service in support of proposed rule to list Audubon's crested
caracara as a threatened species]. On file at: Jacksonville
Field Office, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Layne, J.N. 1978. Threatened, Audubon's caracara. Pages 34-36.
IN: Rare and endangered biota of Florida. Vol. 2, Birds. Univ.
Presses of Florida, Gainesville. 121 pp.
02 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. June 23, 1986. Proposed
threatened status for the Florida population of Audubon's crested
caracara. Fed. Reg. 51:22838-22842.
03 Sprunt, A., Jr. 1954. Florida bird life. Coward-McCann, Inc.
N.Y. and National Audubon Soc. 527 pp.
04 Layne, J.N. 1985. Audubon's caracara. Florida Wildlife 39:40-42.
References - 1