Chimangokarakara
| Chimangokarakara | ||||||||||
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Chimango caracara ( Phalcoboenus chimango ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Phalcoboenus chimango | ||||||||||
| ( Vieillot , 1816) |
The Chimangokarakara ( Phalcoboenus chimango , Syn . : Milvago chimango ) is a member of the subfamily of the vulture falcon ( Polyborinae) within the falcon-like (Falconidae). The crow-sized, food generalist bird occurs in two subspecies in central and southern South America. The species is relatively common, especially in the southern areas of its range, and is considered by the IUCN as not endangered.
features
The Chimangokarakara is a slender, relatively small, in contrast to other representatives of the Krakaras rather short-legged bird with an almost uniform brown body color. There are no striking plumage characteristics. The top is slightly darker than the mostly cinnamon-brown underside. The ends of the arm and hand wings are dark black-brown, the bases of the hand wings are whitish, whereby - individually very different - a quite clear grayish-white wing spot can be visible. The control feathers are banded very finely and indistinctly, whereby this banding is curved towards the double-arched, rounded, white tail tip. A dark brown, fairly wide subterminal band can be seen up close. The high-backed bill is very light, almost whitish, the legs are gray-white to greenish, the toes may have a bluish tinge; the claws are dark. Behind the eye, an inconspicuous, dark stripe runs to the neck, which makes the parting look a bit detached, teased.
Female Chimangokarakaras reach a body length of 43 centimeters and a wingspan of approximately one meter. The weight average of the females is around 300 grams. Males are on average slightly smaller and lighter; There are no differences in color. The youth plumage also differs only slightly from the adult dress, but is usually a little lighter, more reddish-brown with often clearly lighter feather edges; Occasionally, individual parts of the plumage also show white dots or spots.
voice
Chimangokarakaras are acoustically quite noticeable, especially before and during the breeding season and during food and nesting disputes. The most frequently heard call is a loud, screeching Kiiiii-ih , which is usually uttered individually, but can sometimes also be heard in a row . Depending on the situation, this main call is transformed into a lined-up Kieh… kieh… kieh or a clearly two-syllable Ki-ie… ki-ie… ki-ie , often pushed back with the head .
distribution and habitat
hatched: non-breeder - mainly migratory birds from southern Patagonia
The distribution area of the Chimangokarakara is mainly in the southern part of South America, southwards to Tierra del Fuego . The species occurs northwards in Chile as far as the Región de Tarapacá , but is a very rare breeding bird there. The species also breeds rarely and infrequently in southeastern Bolivia and in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul . In northern and central Paraguay , the Chimangokarakara is a common, but not very common breeding bird. In the distribution areas further south, especially in the central regions of Chile and Argentina, Chimangos occur in large population densities; there and in the northern parts of Patagonia they are by far the most common representatives of the falcon-like species. The Chimangokarakaras introduced on Easter Island towards the end of the 19th century have established themselves there and colonized all suitable habitats.
Optimal habitats of the Chimangokarakara are open grasslands with only sparsely trees and bushes, often near bodies of water, or temporarily moist, marshy areas. Overall, however, the species is extremely adaptable and occurs in the cultivated land as well as in the barren vegetation zones of the Patagonian steppe. In central Chile and eastern, central Argentina, the Chimangokarakara has developed into a pronounced cultural successor , reaching very high population densities in the cattle pasture and grain-growing areas. Chimangos also breed in suburban areas, in larger parks and, increasingly, in the centers of large cities.
The breeding occurrences of the Chimangokarakaras extend from the coastal regions to montane areas of approximately 3000 meters. Wandering individuals were also observed in much higher regions.
hikes
In the main areas of their distribution area, Chimangokarakaras are largely sedentary, but outside the breeding season they lead a nomadic life, following regional food supplies. During the Antarctic winter, most of the breeding birds in Southern Patagonia leave their breeding grounds and migrate northwards; their migration routes and wintering areas are not known. Chimangokarakaras are regularly detected on the Falkland Islands .
Food and subsistence
Insects such as beetles, beetle larvae, butterflies and their larvae, as well as flies, crickets, cicadas and other invertebrates such as spiders, ticks or earthworms can make up more than 80 percent of the total amount of food. In general, however, the birds are extremely flexible food generalists, feeding on the most easily accessible food. Carrion, including large animals, fish and mollusc carcasses, bird eggs and nestlings, but also human waste, even usable remains in horse and cattle manure are taken up. Live prey, such as small rodents, songbirds or lizards, are regularly captured, but they play a subordinate role in quantitative terms. Kleptoparasitism is common, and it appears that different species of oystercatcher are often preyed on. Chimangokarakaras can become significant, population-limiting nest predators in breeding colonies of various water birds. Individual caracaras are often found in the vicinity of birds of prey, particularly the red-backed buzzard, whose prey remains they utilize.
The Chimangokarakara usually hunts from a low, slow, consecration-like search flight. He patrols long distances, often along busy roads or along the coastline. When the conditions appear favorable, he sits down and strides through the terrain. Chimangokarakaras often hunt in association, large groups can search freshly plowed fields for insects or earthworms or use the large number of insects in the vicinity of herds of cattle or horses. Chimangokarakaras land more rarely than yellow-headed carakaras directly on these grazing animals and search them for ticks and other parasites. Many chimangos can also congregate in the vicinity of fish processing plants and in landfills.
Breeding biology
There is no information available about the onset of sexual maturity, and the type and duration of partner relationships are not documented. Chimangokarakaras breed individually or in colonies of up to 75 pairs. The nest distance in the colonies can be less than five meters. Apart from sightseeing over the nest location and rows of calls with the head back, no courtship elements are known.
In contrast to other representatives of the Falconidae, karakaras build nests. These can be solid constructions with a diameter of about 40 centimeters; but often they are only loosely put together from twigs and stalks. The nest locations are variable, preferably along rivers or other bodies of water; the nests are often at low heights of less than 5 meters, often near the ground or directly on the ground. The main laying time is between mid-October and mid-November. The clutch consists of two to three eggs; Clutches with only one and with up to five eggs occur. The eggs are incubated for about 27 days, the nestling period is up to 34 days.
Systematics
The nine species of Karakaras are mostly grouped together in the subfamily of the vulture falcon (Polyborinae) within the falcon-like family (Falconidae), but occasionally also considered as a separate family (Daptriidae). The range of the Karakaras is in South and Central America, only the Crested Carakara breeds in Mexico and in the southern United States. The Chimango caracara was placed in the genus Milvago together with the yellow-headed caracara until 2012 . J. Fuchs et al. found in 2012 that Milvago is not monophyletic and that the Chimangokarakara is not closely related to the yellow-headed carakara, but to the carakaras from the genus Phalcoboenus .
Two subspecies are described: the northern nominate form with largely low-contrast, dull brown plumage, and the southern, slightly more contrasting, more gray-brown subspecies P. chimango temucoensis ( WL Sclater , 1918) .
Duration
In large parts of its range, the Chimangokarakara is a widespread, regionally an extremely frequent breeding bird. Only black kites are likely to achieve even higher population densities in some of their ranges. The stocks of the species are not endangered.
adaptability
A series of tests recently carried out in Argentina confirmed the great adaptability and problem-solving potential of this bird species. Chimangokarakaras got used to the changed living conditions in captivity extremely quickly and were very quickly able to reach pieces of meat that could only be obtained by opening certain devices and flaps inside a plexiglass box.
literature
- Laura Marina Biondi & Maria Susana Bó & Aldo Iván Vassallo: Experimental assessment of problem solving by Milvago chimango (Aves: Falconiformes). Journal of Ethology: Volume 26, Number 1 / January 2008: pp. 113–118.
- James Ferguson-Lees , David A. Christie: Raptors of the World. Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston and New York 2001, ISBN 0-618-12762-3 , pages 808-810; 796; Plate 87 (p. 252).
- José Yáñez et al. : Food Habits and Weight of Chimango Caracaras in Central Chile . Auk: Vol. 99, No. 1, January-March, 1982: pp. 170-171.
Individual evidence
- ↑ IUCN data sheet
- ↑ Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001) p. 810
- ↑ Voice examples at xeno-canto
- ↑ Yáñez et al. (1982)
- ↑ a b Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001) p. 808
- ↑ Yáñez et al. (1982) p. 170
- ↑ Bierregaard, RO, Jr, Kirwan, GM & Boesman, P. (2016). Chimango Caracara (Phalcoboenus chimango). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, DA & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (Retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53195 on October 16, 2016).
- ↑ Bierregaard, RO, Jr, Kirwan, GM & Boesman, P. (2016). Chimango Caracara (Phalcoboenus chimango). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, DA & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (Retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53195 on October 16, 2016).
- ↑ a b Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001) p. 809
- ↑ Ferguson-Lees & Christie (2001) p. 796
- ↑ Jérôme Fuchs, Jeff A. Johnson, David P. Mindell: Molecular systematics of the caracaras and allies (Falconidae: Polyborinae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data . In: Volume 154, Issue 3; July 2012; Pages 520-532
- ↑ Biondi et al. (2008)
Web links
- Phalcoboenus chimango inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.1. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2013.