Falkland caracara
| Falkland caracara | ||||||||||
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Falkland caracara ( Phalcoboenus australis ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Phalcoboenus australis | ||||||||||
| ( Gmelin , 1788) |
The falconry caracara ( Phalcoboenus australis ) is a species of the vulture falcon ( Polyborinae) that belongs to the falcon-like family (Falconidae). With a distribution that is limited to the coasts of the Falkland Islands and the offshore islands of Tierra del Fuego , it is one of the rarest birds of prey in the world.
features
The Falkland caracara reaches a body size of 58 to 63 centimeters with a wing length of about 125 centimeters, whereby the females are slightly larger than the males. The body weight of the males reaches a maximum of about 1300 grams, and the females 1700 grams. With these body dimensions, the bird roughly corresponds to a strongly built common buzzard ( Buteo buteo ) and is significantly more compact compared to other vulture falcons.
The plumage is largely dark brown to black with white stripes (this is why this bird is called 'Striated Caracara' in English) and a reddish brown to cinnamon colored belly that extends to the underside of the tail and the plumage of the legs (trousers) . The bill is strongly developed and the upper bill is bluish in color, which turns yellow to leg-colored towards the tip. The wax skin and face are salmon to orange in color. The legs are bright yellow-orange and equipped with strong claws.
distribution
The Falkland Caracara lives in the extreme south of the South American continent on the offshore islands of Tierra del Fuego. The core area is formed by the Falkland Islands and the islands off Tierra del Fuego in both Chilean and Argentine national territory. These include the Isla de los Estados (States Island) and Navarino , the islands of the archipelago off Cape Horn ( Grevy , Bayly , Freycinet , Hershel ). The range may also include Woodcock Island in the Beagle Channel and Yedegaia , of which only individual observations are available.
On the mainland coasts it can appear as an occasional guest, but only the white-throated caracara ( P. albogularis ) is native here , with whose range the Falkland caracara does not overlap according to current knowledge ( parapatry ). The crested caracara ( Polyborus plancus ) can be found sympathetic to the Falkland caracara , which occurs on the entire South American continent and also colonizes the Falkland Islands. There is no danger of confusion with the representatives of these two species, as they are both characterized by extensive white areas in the plumage. The crested carakara also has a distinct crown of feathers, to which it owes its name.
habitat
The habitat of the Falkland Caracara is characterized by stony coasts and mountain ranges as well as lowland areas sparsely overgrown with tussock . Only occasionally does it penetrate wooded areas. You can find it at heights of up to about 500 meters.
literature
- J. Ferguson-Lees, DA Christie: Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London 2001, ISBN 0-7136-8026-1 .
- J. Seger: The Falkland Caracara. (= Die Neue Brehm-Bücherei. Volume 644). Westarp Sciences, Magdeburg 1997, ISBN 3-89432-885-1 .
Web links
- Phalcoboenus australis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed on December 23 of 2008.
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Phalcoboenus australis in the Internet Bird Collection
Individual evidence
- ^ Robin Woods, Anne Woods: Birds & Mammals of the Falkland Islands . Ed .: Wild Guides Ltd. 2nd ed. 2018, ISBN 978-1-903657-42-3 , pp. 108 .