Visit From An Aztec Warrior

I've been waiting for this!  Caracaras are not uncommon here, but I never seem to have my camera ready.  This beautiful member of the falcon family obliged me by sitting quietly in the morning sun, waiting to have his picture taken.

Crested Caracara, watching the morning pass by.

The Caracara is the national bird of Mexico and you can see why: it has an almost stylized appearance.  To see one sitting on a pole like this is wonderful, but it is incredible to watch one fly low over a meadow or land, with those huge feet outstretched, on a poor, unsuspecting mouse.  Once you see a Caracara, you'll never mistake it for any other bird of prey.

Mexican Coat of Arms.  Look familiar?

Caracaras are also known to feed on carrion and have a widely varied diet.  It prefers open grasslands, where it can keep a sharp eye out for dinner, and only ventures as far north as Texas, Arizona and Florida.  Although it's common here, I understand it's becoming more rare in Florida as habitat disappears.