Crested Caracara and Raccoon Carrion 20180213 120705

Crested Caracara and Raccoon Carrion

In Images by Matt Shetzer

Crested Caracara and Raccoon Carrion

A Crested Caracara scavenging on a Raccoon carcass in South Texas.

Known as the “Mexican Eagle,” this is a well-adored bird in Mexico and is actually a member of the Falcon family. These raptors are quite agile on the ground and use their strong legs to move about the landscape in search of prey.

This bird is mostly a scavenger, as seen here, preferring to eat carrion as an easy meal. Growing as large as 23 inches, weighing as much as 3.5 pounds, and living up to nearly two decades years in the wild, these bird’s numbers are declining.

Bird photo shot on location in South Texas.

Stock Image #20180325-200714

Crested Caracara and Raccoon Carrion was last modified: June 5th, 2018 by Matt Shetzer