Chimango Caracara (Birds of Brazil)

Chimango Caracara

Milvago chimango

Summary ⁷

The Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) is a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Chimango is found as far south as Tierra del Fuego and is a vagrant to the Malvinas Islands.

Biology ⁸

Despite being a common diurnal raptor, there is an overall paucity of information on the chimango caracara. It is a generalist predator, with a varied diet that includes carrion, human refuse, and live prey such as insects, worms, other invertebrates, small mammals and nestling birds (4) (6). As a relatively weak flyer, it hunts mostly from the ground, running and jumping in pursuit of prey (6). The nests are made at different heights in a variety of shrubs and trees, with egg-laying occurring from September to December but being most profuse in October. Two to three eggs are incubated for around four to five weeks before hatching, and the young remain in the nest for around six weeks (4). Although most chimango caracara populations are sedentary, large nesting colonies appear to move about in response to food and habitat changes. Furthermore, southern populations shrink in size over the austral winter, indicating migratory movements northwards (3).

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