Carunculated Caracara Daptrius carunculatus Scientific name definitions

The Carunculated Caracara is the most northerly member of the Mountain Caracara (Daptrius megalopterus) superspecies. Members of this group of species are distributed from Colombia south along the Andes to Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, but the Carunculated Caracara is found only in the high Andean páramo of Ecuador and southern Colombia. It is the only caracara at these elevations and easily is identified by its predominantly black plumage and foraging behavior. It occurs in family groups of up to eight which roam the páramo searching for almost anything edible, including worms, maggots, rodents, birds, lizards, and even vegetable matter. Despite the wide-ranging diet, there is considerable local variation, and the consumption of certain food items can change drastically even from one mountain to another.

50–56 cm; wingspan 112–119 cm (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Mostly glossy black, but boldly patterned with white streaks on breast; underwing , lower belly, undertail coverts and tip of tail all immaculate white; crown with moderately apparent, curled crest. Iris hazel to blackish-gray, cere and bare skin of face and throat bright orange to deep red; throat skin wrinkled form­ing wattles (caruncles); feet and legs bright yellow. Pattern on underparts separates from congeners, including the Mountain Caracara (Daptrius megalopterus), with which can be sympatric in southern Ecuador (2 Poulsen, B. O. (1993). A contact zone between Mountain and Carunculated caracaras in Ecuador. Wilson Bulletin 105(4):688-691. Close ). Immature tawny to fuscous brown with dark shaft streaking; head, rump and underparts with some white mottling; legs and feet dusky.

Formerly treated as subspecies of the Mountain Caracara (Daptrius megalopterus), as was the White-throated Caracara (Daptrius albogularis); the three form a species-group, in which some authors also include the Striated Caracara (Daptrius australis). These four species were formerly separated as the genus Phalcoboenus, but molecular phylogenetics indicate a close relationship with Chimango Caracara (then Milvago chimango, now Daptrius chimango), rendering that genus paraphyletic. As a result, all Milvago and Phalcoboenus have been moved to the genus Daptrius, due to the relatively shallow genetic divergence (3 Fuchs, J., J. A. Johnson, and D. P. Mindell (2012). Molecular systematics of the caracaras and allies (Falconidae: Polyborinae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data. Ibis 154(3):520-532. Close , 4 Fuchs, J., J. A. Johnson, and D. P. Mindell (2015). Rapid diversification of falcons (Aves: Falconidae) due to expansion of open habitats in the late Miocene. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 82:166–182. Close ).

Andes from southwestern Colombia to southern Ecuador.

Treeless areas of upper temperate zone, at 3,000–4,000 m; in páramo or grassy pastures with scattered bushes. Documented to 4,700 m near summit of Rucu Pichincha, Ecuador (5 Vogt, C. (2006). High-elevation records of bird species from Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Ecuador. Cotinga. 26:81–83. Close ).

Presumably sedentary. Outside breeding season, may gather in flocks of 100 or more birds.

Highly opportunistic. Diet includes worms, maggots, snails, fish, small rodents, birds, lizards, vegetable matter; said to take almost anything edible . Considerable local variation. Feeds mainly on the ground by scavenging; often walks or runs about. Groups of up to eight (or perhaps even 40) individuals seen feeding together, typically in vicinity of cattle or llamas (1 Ferguson-Lees, J., and D. A. Christie (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Usually silent. During interactions, utters grating and squealing barks (xeno canto, XC14417) ; also may give long series of harsh notes (xeno-canto, XC257388).

Eggs laid in September and October, young fledge in January, but one well-developed nestling collected in late May. Stick nest built on cliffs; nest somewhat more substantial than that of the Mountain Caracara (Daptrius megalopterus); one nest recorded in pine tree. Normal clutch size two eggs.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). CITES II. Uncommon to locally common, with global population estimate of fewer than 10,000 individuals. In Colombia, commonest in Cumbal area of southern Nariño, near border with Ecuador; currently spreading into Cauca valley. In Ecuador, common in páramo zones around Mount Antisana , and fairly common in some other protected areas. Probably relatively secure at present, given that habitat not under significant pressure; no reports of persecution, and numbers presumably are stable.