Black caracara

Black caracara
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Subfamily: Polyborinae
Genus: Daptrius
Vieillot, 1816
Species:
D. ater
Binomial name
Daptrius ater
Vieillot, 1816

The black caracara (Daptrius ater) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae found in Amazonian and French Guianan lowlands, occurring commonly along rivers. They are locally referred to as Ger' futu busikaka[2] in the Republic of Suriname, and juápipi {nẽjõmbʌ} by the Emberá of Panamá and Colombia. However, both of these names refer to multiple bird species within the Falconidae.[3] German-Brazilian ornithologist Helmut Sick also referred to this species as gavião-de-anta, literally translating to "tapir-hawk".[4]

Since migration has not been observed, they are considered resident, or sedentary,[5] remaining in the tropics year round. The genus Daptrius is often considered a monotypic taxon today, while some sources also include its close relative, the red-throated caracara, which is normally placed in the genus Ibycter.

D. ater are considered to be a widespread and sociable raptor, often spotted in groups of 2-5 individuals in tall trees. Nests, built from sticks and usually containing 2-3 brown-spotted eggs, have been observed high in trees, yet little is known of their breeding habits or reproduction.[6] Typical of caracaras, D. ater is an omnivore as well as an opportunist, known simultaneously as a predator, scavenger and a forager; together with other American raptors, particularly the Cathartidae (new world vultures) and the condors, the black caracara benefits the greater environment by consuming carrion.[7]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Daptrius ater". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22696226A93550476. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22696226A93550476.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ Spaans, Arie; Ottema, Otte; Hein, Jan (November 2015). Field Guide to the Birds of Suriname. BRILL. p. 59. ISBN 9789004249295.
  3. ^ Kane, Stephanie (15 July 2014). "Bird Names and Folklore from the Emberá (Chocó) in Darién, Panamá". Ethnobiology Letters. 6 (1): 32–62. doi:10.14237/ebl.6.1.2015.226. hdl:2022/22243. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  4. ^ Bull, Wilson (March 1996). "Ungulate ectoparasite removal by Black Caracaras and Pale-winged Trumpeters in Amazonian forests" (PDF). The Wilson Bulletin. 108 (1): 170–175. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  5. ^ Bildstein, Keith (2004). "RAPTOR MIGRATION IN THE NEOTROPICS: PATTERNS, PROCESSES, AND CONSEQUENCES" (PDF). Ornitologia Neotropical. 15 (1): 84–99.
  6. ^ Whittaker, Andrew (7 November 1996). "Nesting records of the genus Daptrius (Falconidae) from the Brazilian Amazon, with the first documented nest of the Black Caracara". Ararajuba. 4 (2): 107–108.
  7. ^ Byers, Clive (24 March 2017). Birds of Peru. Bloomsbury: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 978-1472932167. Retrieved 13 October 2017.