Crested Caracara
Every now and then you spot a bird so striking and full of personality that it stops you in your tracks. For us, the Crested Caracara is one of those birds. With its bold orange face, black cap, and long yellow legs, it looks like it stepped out of another world. Once you've seen one, you won't forget it.
A falcon that walks
Though the caracara is technically a member of the falcon family, it doesn't behave like the falcons most people picture. Instead of diving from the sky, it spends a great deal of time striding across the ground on those long legs, hunting opportunistically for just about anything it can find. It has a confident, almost regal way of carrying itself, often perched atop a tall tree or saguaro, surveying the landscape like it owns the place.
The only falcon that builds its own nest
Here's one of our favorite facts about this bird: the Crested Caracara is the only falcon that builds its own nest. Most falcons take over nests abandoned by other birds, but the caracara constructs its own, and here in Arizona, it often does so right in the crotch of a tall saguaro. Even better, caracaras tend to be faithful to their nesting sites, returning to the same spot year after year, which makes them a wonderful bird to get to know over time.
When and where to find one
The best news for photographers and birders alike is that caracaras are non-migratory residents, so you can find them any time of year. There's no season to wait for, they're here all the time.
Around Tucson, your best bet is the open grassland and ranch country of the Altar Valley southwest of the city, including the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. To get there, head west on Highway 86 and then south on Highway 286 from Three Points. As you go, scan the tops of tall trees and saguaros where caracaras like to perch, and don't forget to look at the ground, since that's where they often do their hunting and walking.
Capturing them
A caracara standing sentinel atop a saguaro, lit by warm desert light, is the kind of image that captures the spirit of this landscape. They're a striking, characterful subject, and photographing them is always a treat. Many of our favorite wildlife images, including some of the desert's most memorable birds, are available in our wildlife gallery as prints and digital files. And if there's a particular bird or place you're hoping to capture, reach out anytime, we'd love to help.
