Portrait of an immature Crested Caracara

Location: Florida, USA
500 mm Lens

The caracara is a large and unmistakable raptor with long legs, neck, wings, and tail. It has a flat-crowned head with a massive eagle-like bill and soars with ease. Adult has dark crown and red cere (changes color quickly) that contrast with otherwise whitish neck and barred white breast. Back, underparts, and wings are dark brown except for barred pale base to primaries and barred, pale tail with a dark terminal band. Wings look nearly square-tipped in flight. Legs are yellow. Juvenile is similar, but has pale spots on back and wings; leg and cere colors are duller.

Dimensions: Length: 20-22" (51-56 cm); Wngspn: 4’ (1.2 m)

Source: eNature.com