Invertebrate Diet of Breeding and Nonbreeding Crested Caracaras (Caracara cheriway) in Florida

• DOI: 10.3356/jrr-07-47.1
• Publication Date: 2008-03-14T16:02:10Z
• Authors: Joan L. Morrison; Kyle E. Pias; Jeffrey Abrams; Isabel G. W. Gott...; Mark Deyrup; Michael McMillian
• Keywords: Carrion

We compared the invertebrate component of diet breeding and nonbreeding northern Crested Caracaras (Caracara cheriway) during season, January through April, in Florida, using pellet analysis. Pellets from adults were collected at active nests pellets caracaras beneath a communal roost. During consumed prey minimum 61 genera total 33 families eight orders. Nonbreeding greater numbers invertebrates, more different types, diversity invertebrates than did caracaras. contained per pellet, carrion insects occurred frequently Our findings suggest hypotheses regarding possible role intraspecific competition use particular habitats food resources by Florida. Breeding pairs are highly territorial primarily feed nestlings larger-sized vertebrate prey, field observations indicated that can exclude young (nonbreeding) birds their areas; thus, differences may reflect social structure within this population. If conspecifics important or foraging habitats, nonbreeders hunt arthropods rely on necessity, especially if occur suboptimal habitat which other less available.