Whos keeping an eye on me....

Saturday 9 June 2012

Yellow headed Caracara

These images are taken from Hato Pinero on my recent trip to Venezuela

please click on the image to release the detail within the pixels

The Yellow Headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) is a small bird of prey found in tropical & sub-tropical South America & Southern Central America. They are related to falcons but are much slower in flight and do much of their hunting and feeding on the ground. With broad wings and a long tail they have buff head and underparts, brown upperparts and wings and a barred cream and brown tail. Their natural habitat is savannah, swamps and forest edges, but they have also adapted to urban areas and are commonly seen in many South American cities. Yellow Headed Caracaras have a very varied diet including small reptiles & amphibians, insects, fruit and carrion. It will also take ticks from cattle, giving it the nickname 'Tickbird'.
so the nickname is true.......
and now I can see the attraction of the cattle ranch where these images were taken


immature Caracra
not looking quite so beautiful yet




out on the tiles ...




......... or in the frame





21 comments:

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Dave, what a grand looking bird and great images too~

Stewart M said...

Great looking bird - Venezuela one year Australia the next?

Stewart M

Dave said...

South Africa next year Stewart.... but dont worry its on my urgently need to do list

Dave said...

Mary, Thanks for the comment - as always

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful! we get the crested caracaras here in texas and i enjoy seeing them. lovely shots!

NatureStop said...

Dave,
What a good looking bird and great photography!!Have a great day!

Shantana

EG CameraGirl said...

Neat captures of this bird I have never seen before.

Carletta said...

A stunning series of shots!
I really enjoyed the slideshow!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

This is one raptor I have never seen. He is beautiful ... you are so lucky to have them in your area. Thank you for your beautiful pictures.

Andrea @ FRom The Sol

Unknown said...

Interesting bird and great shots, especially the one on the steers' back.Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Unknown said...

Interesting bird and great shots, especially the one on the steers' back.Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Pat said...

It really is a beautiful bird! Great captures.

mick said...

Great photos of a very interesting bird.

HansHB said...

Great serie of photos!

Adam Jones said...

Nice shots Dave. Quite a strange bird. You don't get them in Adlington do you?

Brian King said...

Gorgeous photos, Dave! They are handsome birds!

Hilke Breder said...

Interesting bird and terrific photos!

Springman said...

Just amazing Dave, thanks for taking us along on your epic treks!

Adam Tilt said...

Cracking shots Dave. Not seen that species before.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Very nice series on the caracara, Dave!

Liz said...

Beautiful shots, Dave!!
I'm glad you discovered my blog as it lead me to yours and I'm your newest follower!