English and Scientific names:	Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway
Number of individuals:	1
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Jeff. Davis Parish
Specific Locality:	about 3 miles W of Thornwell along Hwy 380.
Date(s) when observed:	January 2, 2004
Time(s) of day when observed:	2:30 PM
Reporting observer and address:	Paul Conover Lafayette, LA 70506
Light conditions:	Partly cloudy, good light.
Optical equipment:	Zeiss Victory 10X40’s [new and clear], Kowa 20-60 Scope.
Distance to bird(s):	Initially about ¼ of a mile. It eventually crossed the road about 50 yards in front of me.
Duration of observation:	About 5 minutes.
Habitat:	Flying over large open agricultural fields (dormant at this time of year) intersected at wide spaces by small hedgerows. These fields are used heavily by wintering geese flocks and host large numbers of raptors/scavengers which feed upon the geese.
Behavior of bird:	I first noticed the bird as I pulled up to Hwy 380 on Byler Road, heading north. I saw a large bird with unusual flight flying roughly parallel to 380 heading W. The flight was somewhat crow-like, with pronounced strokes, unlike any other large birds of the area. I glassed it and realized it was a Caracara, with the distinctive cross-shaped body, bold white primaries, and pronounced whitish areas in head and tail. I drove alongside the bird on 380, although at one point it dropped into a hedgerow. Eventually it took to the air again, flying W until it almost reached Hwy 382. At this point it turned S, crossed over the road, and continued S in the direction of the Lacassine refuge.
Description:	Upon realizing that the bird was a Caracara, I concentrated more on getting recognizable photos than getting good details. What I did see was that the bird had head and tail which projected well beyond the torso, forming a somewhat cross-shaped bird. The ‘cross’ was not altogether perfect because the wings were somewhat swept back in flight, bent at the wrists. The primaries were boldly white. The tail was whitish with a black terminal band. The neck and head were whitish, with a black cap, though I didn’t note the exact color which would’ve been useful in ageing it. The rest of the bird was blackish.
Similar species:	Locally, the only birds which even approach the bold pattern of this bird would be Krider’s Red-tail, and Ferruginous Hawk, but they both have distinctive Buteo shapes. In terms of shape, I can’t think of anything locally that’s even close.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Yes. 4 photos with small images. I was driving so fast to catch up to it when it decided to cross ahead of me that I was tardy in getting my camera out, and thus the images are distant and small. Only one of these shows the details of the bird. It is a tiny image, but should be enough to confirm ID.
Previous experience:	I have seen them twice in Louisiana at Fabacher Road and Avery Island. I have seen many in numerous trips to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and have also seen them in Arizona.
Notes made during the observation?	no
Notes made from memory?	Yes, on January 11, 2004, but the notes pertain more to the circumstances of the observation than to details of the bird’s appearance.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes.
Reporter:	Paul Conover
Date and time:	January 11, 2004