Two large birds of prey perch on a thick, slanted tree branch against a softly blurred green background. They have black backs and wings, creamy white necks and chests patterned with dark horizontal streaks, and bold yellow-orange skin on their faces. Their hooked beaks are pale bluish-gray with darker tips. Both birds stand tall on long, sturdy yellow legs with sharp talons gripping the branch. One bird faces slightly left, looking upward with an alert posture. The other stands higher on the branch, turned toward its companion with its beak slightly open, as if calling. At their feet, a small piece of prey rests on the bark, hinting at a recent meal. The overall impression is of two vigilant, confident raptors surveying their surroundings. About Crested Caracaras: Crested Caracaras are falcons, but they behave more like vultures in some ways. Unlike most falcons that hunt fast-moving prey in flight, caracaras often walk on the ground to forage. They are opportunistic feeders, eating carrion, small animals, reptiles, insects, and even scraps from human activity. Their long legs make them unusually terrestrial for a bird of prey, allowing them to stride across open fields and grasslands. They are highly intelligent and have been observed manipulating objects and working together in pairs or small groups. In flight, they show broad wings and a white neck contrasted against dark body plumage, making them distinctive. They are found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and much of South America, favoring open country, ranchlands, and wetlands. Crested Caracaras combine the bold presence of a raptor with the adaptable habits of a scavenger, making them one of the most versatile birds of prey in the Americas.

@robcrank68.bsky.social ‘s #BirdOfTheDay is #PerfectLighting. A couple of #CrestedCaracara’s here seen perched and critiquing one another’s plumage.
Taken in Texas at the #SantaClaraRanch.
#eastCoastKin #Birds #Raptors #PhotographersUnited