Black Caracara (Daptrius ater)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Black Caracara

Daptrius ater Vieillot, 1816

41–47 cmLength352 gWeight

The black caracara (Daptrius ater) is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae that is found in Amazonian and French Guianan lowlands, mainly occurring along rivers.

Busiest months: July · Most records: Peru, Ecuador, Colombia

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Black Caracara has been recorded at 128 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 9 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Rio Cristalino – listas históricasBrazil629 records
  2. Sani LodgeEcuador510 records
  3. Sacha LodgeEcuador406 records
More places
  1. Shiripuno LodgeEcuador381 records
  2. Reserva Biológica LimoncochaEcuador286 records
  3. ExplorNapo LodgePeru280 records
  4. Tambopata Research CenterPeru273 records
  5. Tiputini Biodiversity StationEcuador256 records
  6. La Selva LodgeEcuador252 records
  7. Napo Wildlife CenterEcuador245 records

Countries and regions with the most records

PeruEcuadorColombiaBrazilGuyanaSurinameVenezuelaBolivia

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The black caracara (Daptrius ater) is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae that is found in Amazonian and French Guianan lowlands, mainly occurring along rivers. It was formerly the only species placed in the genus Daptrius but based on genetic studies the genus now includes species that were formerly placed in the genera Milvago and Phalcoboenus.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Black Caracara?

The Black Caracara is about 41–47 cm long and weighs around 352 g.

Where does the Black Caracara live?

Its breeding range: South America: Amazonia. It is most often recorded in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

When is the best time to see the Black Caracara?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in July (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the Black Caracara endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Black Caracara as Least Concern.

What does the Black Caracara eat?

Main food: Omnivore.

What family is the Black Caracara in?

It belongs to the family Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae), order Falconiformes.

At a glance

Length
41–47 cm
Weight
352 g
Habitat
Forest
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
Active on the ground
Migration
Partial migrant
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
311 mm
Tail
199 mm
Bill
33 mm
Tarsus
48 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

South America: Amazonia

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Family
Caracaras, Falcons Falconidae
Genus
Daptrius

Other birds in the genus Daptrius

Yellow-headed CaracaraYellow-headed CaracaraDaptrius chimachimaChimango CaracaraChimango CaracaraDaptrius chimangoStriated CaracaraStriated CaracaraDaptrius australisCarunculated CaracaraCarunculated CaracaraDaptrius carunculatusMountain CaracaraMountain CaracaraDaptrius megalopterusWhite-throated CaracaraWhite-throated CaracaraDaptrius albogularisSpot-winged FalconetSpot-winged FalconetSpiziapteryx circumcinctaCrested CaracaraCrested CaracaraCaracara plancusRed-throated CaracaraRed-throated CaracaraIbycter americanusLaughing FalconLaughing FalconHerpetotheres cachinnans
Black Caracara

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Paul Cools. ↗

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