Striated Caracara

Striated caracaras are very intelligent and have excellent problem solving abilities.


They will run into penguin burrows to eat chicks or penguin eggs and are considered a pest during the Rockhopper penguin breeding season.

  • Least Concern
  • Near Threatened
  • Vulnerable
  • Endangered
  • Critically Endangered
  • Extinct in the Wild
  • Extinct

Despite being a member of the falcon family, they do not behave like most falcons! They spend a lot of time on the ground and have very powerful legs which they use to turn over pieces of driftwood and rocks to find crustaceans.

They will scavenge from people and have been known to raid rubbish bins and even run into tents to take food items. During the Falklands War, they would wait outside the soldiers tents in order to swoop down and steal their rations.

Meet Tierra!


Tierra came to us from ZSL London Zoo. Tierra is a bird with lots of energy. She is a very intelligent bird so we keep her busy with lots of fun training and enrichment she has to think about. She is a favourite with public in the shows as she does lots of fun things like taking washing off of the line and pulling over her bin. She also loves any enrichment she can destroy and tear apart. Her preferred food is anything the keepers offer her.

Key Facts

Diet:
Feeds mainly on carrion, crustaceans, penguins, small mammals, lizards, sea birds and their eggs.
Height:
0 to 60 cm (16 to 24 inches) long.
Number of Young:
The female usually lays 1-4 eggs.
Distribution:
Throughout Argentina right down to Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands.
Length:
40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 inches) long.

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