Chimango Caracara
Daptrius chimango
Unlike most raptors which are solitary, Chimango Caracaras are highly social and often gather in large, noisy flocks to forage or roost.
- Scientific name
- Daptrius chimango
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Falconiformes › Falconidae › Daptrius
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open grasslands, pampas, agricultural fields, forest edges, and urban areas.
- Diet
- Opportunistic omnivore consuming carrion, insects, small rodents, birds, and food scraps.
- Range
- Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Southern Brazil
- Size
- 37-40 cm in length with a wingspan of approximately 80-95 cm.
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Pesticide poisoning through prey ingestion and occasional persecution by farmers.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and often bold. These birds are inquisitive and may approach humans for food scraps. Do not feed them, as it can lead to habituation and aggressive begging. Maintain a distance of 5-10 meters. If scratched by talons, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and apply antiseptic.
The chimango caracara ( Milvago chimango ) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and south of Brazil. The chimango is found as far south as Tierra del Fuego and is a vagrant to the Falkland Islands also known as Islas Malvinas.
Photo: Fernando Sessegolo, CC0, via iNaturalist
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