English and Scientific names:

Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway

Number of individuals: 

2 immatures, 1 adult. sexes undetermined.

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

south of Holmwood, LA (Calcasieu Parish)

Specific Locality:

2 immatures observed and photographed/videotaped along Fruge Rd. Adult bird observed along Lionel Duerouen Rd.

Date(s) when observed:

December 6, 2006

Time(s) of day when observed:  

between 1000-1100

Reporting observer and address:

James W. Beck

Broussard, LA

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Mike Musumeche, James Reitter

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

 

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

birds seen in direct sunlight

Optical equipment: 

Swarovski 10x42 EL

Distance to bird(s): 

ca. 20-50 meters for immatures, ca. 50-175 meters for adult

Duration of observation:

ca. 5 minutes for immatures, ca. 3 minutes for adult

Habitat: 

some ricefields, surrounded by fields of broomsedge, some second growth wood edge.

Behavior of bird: 

all birds initially observed flying; two immatures were flying along wooded edge on south side of road, and perched in tree snags, in the open. adult bird was first seen flying east parallel with Lionel Derouen Rd., and seemed interested in a roadkill carcass, thus perched along the side of the road, but fled when we approached closer.

Description:

hawk-like bird in stature, dark cap turning into a flattenend crest, offset a white head with a pink fleshy face. Beak color pale gray.  Chest barred dark brown and cream-colored.  Wings and back dark brown.  Long legs, yellow in color.  Whitish undertail coverts, long primary projection.  White windows in wings distally in flight; black and white barred tail with a black terminal band.

Voice:

n/a

Similar species:

n/a

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

yes. immatures photographed and videotaped by all three observers.

Previous experience with this species: 

south TX, Costa Rica, Louisiana

Identification aids:

none.

This description is written from: 

after observation

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

yes.

Reporter: 

James W. Beck

Date and time: 

December 7, 2006, 2107