Black Caracara

The Black Caracara occurs in eastern Ecuador, where it inhabits lowland Amazonian forests, especially along rivers, oxbow lakes, and seasonally flooded woodlands below 600 meters. Though generally uncommon, it is locally present in suitable riparian habitats, often seen in small groups perched in tall trees or gliding over forest clearings in search of carrion and small prey. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Amazonian range and a stable population, though it remains sensitive to deforestation and wetland degradation. Natural history observations highlight its omnivorous and opportunistic diet, social foraging behavior, and nesting in high tree cavities, with little known about its reproductive timing or chick development.