caracara

Everyday

A large bird of prey from the Americas, related to falcons, with long legs and often a bare red or orange face; it walks on the ground and eats dead animals as well as live prey. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on birds of prey and food chains, caracaras are scavengers and hunters. Pronounced kar-ah-KAR-ah.

Examples

• The caracara was eating a dead fish on the beach. tree →
• A crested caracara has a black cap and red face. tree →
• Caracaras walk on the ground more than other falcons. tree →
• We saw a caracara in Florida. tree →
• The caracara is a clever bird. tree →

Note

Countable. Despite its looks it is a kind of falcon, not an eagle or vulture.