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The black caracara (''Daptrius ater'') is a species of
bird of prey Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as (although not the same as) raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively predation, hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and smaller birds). In addition to speed ...
in the family Falconidae found in Amazonian and French Guianan lowlands, occurring commonly along rivers. They are locally referred to as ''Ger' futu busikaka'' in the Republic of Suriname, and ''juápipi '' by the Emberá of Panamá and
Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...
. However, both of these names refer to multiple bird species within the Falconidae. German-Brazilian
ornithologist Ornithology, from Ancient Greek ὄρνις (''órnis''), meaning "bird", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study", is a branch of zoology dedicated to the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related discip ...
Helmut Sick also referred to this species as ''gavião-de-anta'', literally translating to "
tapir Tapirs ( ) are large, herbivorous mammals belonging to the family Tapiridae. They are similar in shape to a Suidae, pig, with a short, prehensile nose trunk (proboscis). Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of South America, South and Centr ...
-hawk". Since migration has not been observed, they are considered resident, or sedentary, remaining in the tropics year round. The
genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
''Daptrius'' is often considered a
monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unisp ...
taxon today, while some sources also include its close relative, the red-throated caracara, which is normally placed in the genus ''Ibycter''. ''Daptrius 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. Typical of caracaras, ''D.'' ''ater'' is an omnivore as well as an opportunist, known simultaneously as a
predator Predation is a biological interaction in which one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey. It is one of a family of common List of feeding behaviours, feeding behaviours that includes parasitism and micropredation ...
,
scavenger Scavengers are animals that consume Corpse decomposition, dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While scavenging generally refers to carnivores feeding on carrion, it is also a he ...
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 Carrion (), also known as a carcass, is the decaying flesh of dead animals. Overview Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters (or scavengers) include crows, vultures ...
.


Taxonomy

The species ''Daptrius ater'' was first described by
Louis Pierre Vieillot Louis Pierre Vieillot (10 May 1748, Yvetot – 24 August 1830, Sotteville-lès-Rouen) was a French ornithologist. Vieillot is the author of the first scientific descriptions and Linnaean names of a number of birds, including species he collected ...
in 1816. It previously shared its genus with the red-throated caracara, which is now known as '' Ibycter americanus'' in the monotypic genus ''Ibycter''. The inclusion of ''I. americanus'' in the genus ''Daptrius'' was made by
ornithologist Ornithology, from Ancient Greek ὄρνις (''órnis''), meaning "bird", and -logy from λόγος (''lógos''), meaning "study", is a branch of zoology dedicated to the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related discip ...
Herbert Friedmann in 1950, and backed up by Dean Amadon in 1968. However, a recent
mitochondrial DNA Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA and mDNA) is the DNA located in the mitochondrion, mitochondria organelles in a eukaryotic cell that converts chemical energy from food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondrial DNA is a small portion of the D ...
and nuclear sequence data study focusing on caracaras and allies (subfamily ''Polyborinae'') determined that these two species not only differ in genus, but are also arranged in polyphyly, meaning that they do not share a common most recent ancestor. Additionally, it was concluded that ''D. aters closest relative is the yellow-headed caracara (''Milvago chimachima''), existing on the
phylogenetic tree A phylogenetic tree or phylogeny is a graphical representation which shows the evolutionary history between a set of species or taxa during a specific time.Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, MA. In ...
as a sister group.


Description

Adult black caracara are a glossy black except for the distinctive white band on the base of the tail, and yellow to orange-red feet and face. The adults appear similar to those of their closest relative, the red-throated caracara, however they have distinctly long and narrow wings and tail, as well as a black beak. Additionally, the red-throated caracara can be distinguished from the black caracara by their red throats. The average adult length is -. The females of this species average and are typically larger than the males that have an average weight of . Juveniles can be identified by their dull black
plumage Plumage () is a layer of feathers that covers a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage differ between species and subspecies and may vary with age classes. Within species, there can b ...
, pale yellow face and the 3-4 black bars found on the rectrices. When observing flight from a distance, it is notable that ''Daptrius ater'' rarely soars, but instead can be seen continuously flapping.


Habitat and distribution

It is found in
Bolivia Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in central South America. The country features diverse geography, including vast Amazonian plains, tropical lowlands, mountains, the Gran Chaco Province, w ...
,
Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...
,
Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...
,
Ecuador Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Province which contain ...
,
French Guiana French Guiana, or Guyane in French, is an Overseas departments and regions of France, overseas department and region of France located on the northern coast of South America in the Guianas and the West Indies. Bordered by Suriname to the west ...
,
Guyana Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern coast of South America, part of the historic British West Indies. entry "Guyana" Georgetown, Guyana, Georgetown is the capital of Guyana and is also the co ...
,
Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...
,
Suriname Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America, also considered as part of the Caribbean and the West Indies. It is a developing country with a Human Development Index, high level of human development; i ...
, and
Venezuela Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. It com ...
. Its natural
habitat In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...
s are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and heavily degraded former forest. Common habitats include gallery forest and wooded
savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) biome and ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach th ...
that are situated between altitudes of . Black caracara can also be found in mangroves and disturbed forested habitats along water.


Conservation status

IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the status ...
estimates a fluctuating population of 1000-10000 individuals, with an adult population of 670-6700. Population declines have been documented over the past 10 years, however it is not presently considered critical. The designation of least concern is attributed to their large range, ability to survive in fragmented forest, and their diverse diet.


Behavior

The black caracara is most often seen in pairs or family groups, consisting of 3-5 birds, but may also be spotted alone. They have been observed flying in straight patterns with active wing-flapping, gliding, walking along rivers, and perching in tall trees. Other common sightings have famously associated them with
tapir Tapirs ( ) are large, herbivorous mammals belonging to the family Tapiridae. They are similar in shape to a Suidae, pig, with a short, prehensile nose trunk (proboscis). Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of South America, South and Centr ...
and
capybara The capybara or greater capybara (''Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris'') is the largest living rodent, native to South America. It is a member of the genus '' Hydrochoerus''. The only other extant member is the lesser capybara (''Hydrochoerus isthmi ...
, as they have been observed cleaning ectoparasites and insects from the animals' fur. This interaction can be considered mutualistic, as tapirs will often solicit black caracaras, by emitting a call; the tapirs then lay still on the ground to attract the caracaras for insect and tick removal. They are also known to scavenge around human settlements, consume carrion, and exhibit the ability to catch fish along rivers and in lakes.


Diet

''D. ater'' are known to eat almost anything, from vegetation to carrion to live prey; therefore, they are best described as an opportunistic omnivorous predator. More specifically, their diet may consist of nestlings and fledglings of numerous other bird species, mature smaller birds (such as flycatchers,
parrots Parrots (Psittaciformes), also known as psittacines (), are birds with a strong curved beak, upright stance, and clawed feet. They are classified in four families that contain roughly 410 species in 101 genus (biology), genera, found mostly in ...
, pigeons), small mammals, frogs, lizards, snakes, numerous invertebrates, small fish, palm nuts and numerous varieties of fruits. With this diverse diet, they have developed many unique foraging and hunting strategies, including directly attacking the nests of other birds, searching the canopy foliage with their beaks for insects, and showing no fear around humans, when scavenging near towns or garbage sites.


Fishing

The diverse list of feeding strategies includes foraging small fish within their riverine habitats. ''D. ater'' make use of exposed rocks and emergent vegetation in and along rivers, walking slowly on these surfaces while peering into the water for small fish such as species of
Characidae Characidae, the characids, is a family of freshwater subtropical and tropical fish belonging to the order Characiformes. They are found throughout much of Central and South America, including such major waterways as the Amazon and Orinoco Riv ...
. Once the prey is spotted, they are caught using either the bill or talons then carried away from the river for consumption. Black caracara mostly fish in areas of fast moving rivers where migratory fish are forced to bottleneck and become trapped among plants or within shallow pools, reflecting their opportunistic nature.


Vocalization

This species can also be identified from other species by their harsh, piercing, single note ''kraaaa'' calls that usually occur during flight. This call is usually repeated several times, often ending in a decrescendo. They do not exhibit diverse vocalizations, restricted to variations in length and volume of their distinctive shriek.


Reproduction

There is only one observational record of a black caracara nest in Brazil being built from twigs in length, high in a tree. Little else is known about their reproductive behaviors.


References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q520013, from2=Q15874223 Polyborinae Birds of the Amazon rainforest Birds of Colombia Birds described in 1816 Taxa named by Louis Pierre Vieillot Taxonomy articles created by Polbot