Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) is in the Falcons and Caracaras family (Falconidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 16,125 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Crested Caracara: observations by month (U.S.)
About Crested Caracara
The crested caracara (Caracara plancus) is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found from the southern United States through Central and South America to Tierra del Fuego. It was formerly placed in the genus Polyborus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Crested Caracara by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 13,362 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Florida | 1,819 | March | Feb–Jan |
| Arizona | 400 | March | Nov–May |
| Louisiana | 299 | December | Oct–Feb |
| California | 82 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Michigan | 23 | February | Feb–Feb |
| Colorado | 16 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Vermont | 14 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 13 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Oklahoma | 12 | April | Feb–Jun |
| New Jersey | 11 | September | Sep–Sep |
| New Mexico | 10 | November | Nov–Apr |
| Kansas | 8 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Wisconsin | 7 | June | May–Jun |
| Delaware | 6 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Virginia | 5 | March | Mar–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Falcons and Caracaras)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Crested Caracara?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Crested Caracara most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Florida, Arizona.