White-throated caracara

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White-throated caracara
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Falconiformes
Family:	Falconidae
Genus:	Phalcoboenus
Species:	P. albogularis
Binomial name
Phalcoboenus albogularis Gould, 1837

The white-throated caracara (Phalcoboenus albogularis) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found in grasslands and other barren habitats in the Andes of southern Chile and Argentina. It is generally uncommon to fairly common. A highly opportunistic bird commonly seen walking on the ground, it will feed on both carrion and virtually any small animal it can catch. It resembles the closely related mountain caracara, but unlike that species its underparts (including chest and throat) are entirely white. Juveniles are far less distinctive than the yellow-faced pied adults, being overall brown with dull pinkish-grey facial skin.

Taxonomy and systematics[]

The white-throated caracara is a bird in the order Falconiformes, which includes 11 genera and 65 species and represents a broad distribution of raptorial birds with many diverse behaviours.^[2] Its family Falconidae is divided into three subfamilies, Herpetotherinae, Polyborinae, and Falconinae.^[2] The white-throated caracara is a member of the subfamily Polyborinae which includes the caracaras and Spiziapteryx. The species was formerly treated as a type of mountain caracara (P. megalopterus) as was the carunculated caracara (P. carunculatus).^[3]  However, now the three species form a species group where there is very low genetic diversity among the species.^[4] Possible hybrids have been reported.^[3]

Description[]

The white-throated caracara measures about 49–55 cm with a wingspan of about 110–124 cm.^[4]  It is a medium to large caracara with fingertips and long wings and a rather long rounded tail.^[3] The female is slightly larger but both sexes of the species are virtually the same. They have a weal crest and a somewhat less glossy black when compared to related species. The base of the primaries are banded black and white from below.^[3] This species is all white from the chin, to the undertail, and on underwing coverts.^[3]  These white underparts is what separates this species from the mountain caracara. Their facial skin is yellow-orange, the legs and feet being yellow, and the iris being hazel to brown.^[3] In juveniles the facial skin and legs are blueish white in colour.^[3] The juveniles might be hard to distinguish in the field from a juvenile mountain caracara; however, they have weaker crests and are darker.^[3]

Distribution and habitat[]

This is the southerly most member of the mountain caracara superspecies.^[3]  It can be found from central Chile south to Tierra del Fuego where it has not been reported to overlap with the similar species, the mountain caracara. This species differs from similar species in that it can also be found at sea-level and up to 3000 meters in elevational range.^[3] The species prefers open mountain slopes and humid forests, especially beech forests.^[3] Most caracaras move from a principle home range site near seabird colonies in the summer, early-autumn and late spring, to secondary feeding sites around a winter refuge farm.^[5] This increased use of the farm site in winter is most likely due to the birds moving to the site once the food availability at the seabird colonies drops.^[5]

Behaviour and ecology[]

Vocalizations[]

The sounds and vocal behaviour of this species is currently unknown.^[3]

Diet[]

The majority of this species diet are insects but it will also feed on other prey such as small mammals and birds.^[6]  In the spring and summer insects dominate their diet while in the winter and fall small mammals and birds are more frequently eaten.^[6]

Reproduction[]

This species will nest at a variety of heights in various trees and shrubs.^[7]  Their nests are almost always very well concealed in the dense shrubbery of trees or stick nests on rock ledges.^[3][7]  They lay their eggs around early October, typically laying between 2 to 3 eggs.^[7] With the incubation period of the nests being about 5 to 6 weeks.^[7]  Continued clearing of the rainforest in this region may provide increased foraging opportunities for this species but could also result in decreased nest sites.

Status[]

The white-throated caracara is a species of least concern. Is said to be common in the Nothofagus beech forest and common at a rubbish dump near Tierra del Fuego.^[3] It occurs at low density in the forests of the adjacent national park.^[3] Their habitat is not subject to much disturbance except for deforestation, which is possibly beneficial for the species as it prefers open areas of land rather than dense forests. They are currently estimated to no more than 10,000 individuals.^[3]

References[]

• Jaramillo, Alvaro, Burke, Peter, & Beadle, David (2003). Birds of Chile. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-4688-8.