While we were having coffee this morning, a Crested Caracara swooped down and landed by the pond. (This isn't my picture, I got it from Audubon): http://birds.audubon.org/sites/default/ ... -312_l.jpg They are fairly common in South Texas, but aren't seen so frequently here. Our neighbor saw one and swore it was an eagle, and another neighbor said it was a "new kind of vulture." Caracaras are carrion eaters, and are frequently seen in the company of black vultures (they aren't picky about their friends).
What a pretty bird. It hangs around with Vultures, looks like a long legged Hawk, is sometimes called the Mexican Eagle, it's ground dwelling and is in the Falcon family. What a wild combination of attributes.
Frank, according to my National Geographic Field Guide, the caracara is about 2' long, but has a wingspan of about 4'. Our bird wouldn't stand still to be measured, so I am taking the field guide's word for it!
