caracara

American  

[kahr-uh-kahr-uh, kar-uh-kar-uh] / ˌkɑr əˈkɑr ə, ˌkær əˈkær ə /

noun

1. any of certain long-legged birds of prey of the falcon family, of the southern U.S. and Central and South America that feed on carrion.

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caracara British  

/ ˌkɑːrəˈkɑːrə /

noun

1. any of various large carrion-eating diurnal birds of prey of the genera Caracara, Polyborus, etc, of S North, Central, and South America, having long legs and naked faces: family Falconidae (falcons)

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Etymology

Origin of caracara

1830–40; < Spanish or Portuguese < Tupi; imitative of its cry

Example Sentences

Keepers at the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre CIC said a gyr falcon and a striated caracara were taken between 17:00 GMT on Thursday and 07:00 on Friday.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025

We also did another kayak paddle in a glacial lake and watched loons dive for fish and caracara falcons circle over the reeds.

From Washington Post • Apr. 8, 2022

The books I enjoy the most, however, are straightforward nonfiction books, such as hopefully the next one on my list, which is “A Most Remarkable Creature,” by Jonathan Meiburg, on the caracara, a raptor.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2022

They can hardly keep up with the variety: caracara, cattle egret, roseate spoonbill, green heron, hummingbirds … Together with Smith Oaks, “it would be our most amazing day of birding ever.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 14, 2018

I thought of the mother caracara bird who made her nest on the large rock behind the molle tree just last spring.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis