Recuperated Crested Caracara Released at Oil Trough, Arkansas

The bird is from the subtropics, living in south Texas, southern Arizona and south Florida where it is listed as federally threatened, in addition to nations farther to the south. It is a raptor, a member of the falcon family, that often feeds on carrion. Crested caracaras are 19 to 23 inches tall.

This crested caracara was the first documented to visit Arkansas and was found on the farm of Craig Shirley near the Olyphant community. He noticed it one day near his house, then several days later when it was still there, he called the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Cpl. Roger Tate, a wildlife officer, and bird watchers from the Audubon Society arrived, and Tate captured the caracara with little trouble.

The emaciated bird was taken to raptor rehabilitator Rodney Paul in El Paso (White County) …read more

Source:: AmmoLand