Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Striated caracara

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Kingdom
  
Order
  
Falconiformes

Genus
  
Higher classification
  
Phalcoboenus

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Scientific name
  
Phalcoboenus australis

Rank
  
Species

Striated caracara httpssmediacacheak0pinimgcomoriginals9c

Similar
  
Phalcoboenus, Bird, Mountain caracara, Falconidae, Black‑browed Albatross

Striated caracaras falkland islands


The striated caracara, (Phalcoboenus australis) is a bird of prey of the family Falconidae. In the Falkland Islands it is known as the Johnny rook.

Contents

Striated caracara Windsonde Windsonde Bird Feature Striated Caracara The

Striated caracara johnny rook


Description

Striated caracara Striated Caracara Page

The adults' plumage is almost black in colour, while the legs and lores are orange and the neck is flecked with grey. The first year juveniles have an orange or light red down, which they lose after their first molt. Full adult plumage is acquired only in the fifth year.

Distribution and habitat

Striated caracara Striated caracara photo Phalcoboenus australis G39062 ARKive

It breeds in several islands in Tierra del Fuego, but is more abundant in the Falklands. Though it was once considered common in the Falklands archipelago, it now only nests in the outlying islands where it breeds around penguin and albatross colonies.

Feeding

Striated caracara Striated Caracara Phalcoboenus australis Photo by Hannu Rinne

The striated caracara is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, mainly dead seabirds and dead sheep, offal and food scraps. It occasionally takes insects and earthworms that it digs up with its claws. However it will also prey on weak or injured creatures, such as young seabirds. Its habit of attacking newborn lambs and weakened sheep has led it to be ruthlessly persecuted by sheep farmers.

Striated caracara Striated Caracara photo WP11941

Often it is known to steal red objects such as clothing or handkerchiefs, possibly because red is the colour of meat. Like all falconiformes it has excellent colour vision which easily surpasses that of any known mammal. Often it will also raid dustbins and move rocks to get food from underneath, thus proving themselves to be one of the most intelligent of the birds of prey.

Breeding

Striated caracara Striated caracara Wikipedia

The nest is built on the ground or on a cliff ledge, where the female will lay up to 4 eggs. Their hatching is timed to coincide with the nesting season of seabirds, providing a constant food supply for the chicks. Once these have fledged, they gather into flocks and roam through the islands, often close to human settlements.

Status and conservation

The population in the Falklands is estimated at 500 breeding pairs. Juveniles and indeed, adults, are almost entirely fearless of humans and treat their approach with indifference. Over time, conflict with the sheep farmers has led to a great reduction in their numbers. This is now being corrected by the Falkland Islanders.

References

Striated caracara Wikipedia


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