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Northern Crested Caracara

Caracaras are in the falcon family and are excellent hunters although they behave a lot like vultures. They are often seen eating carrion or scavaging around campsites. They tend to hunt small vulnerable animals that are injured but will also eat fruit.

These birds are commonly found in central and south America but have found a home at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. This populate is known as a relict population that was previously found in the vast oak savannas throughout Florida. As those areas were altered through human disturbance, Caracaras found a home at Florida’s largest true prairie.