Birdtober Day Twenty-Eight: Caracara

 

There are ten species of caracaras in the world, and I've seen two of them. I chose to write about the Crested Caracara, who, as you will see, is quite the fine diner.

Caracara Gourmet

The Crested Caracara
stalks its prey on foot.
Fish, mammals, other birds:
all are on the menu.
Lizards and snakes
are favorite snacks.
It also finds carrion delightful,
with its delicate odor of rot.
And then,
barely able to contain its glee,
the Crested Caracara
flips over cowpats
in search of dessert.
With epicurean pleasure,
it munches
the dung beetles
beneath.

 

©Ruth Bowen Hersey

Photo Source: eBird.com

Information sources: here, here, here.