Crested Caracara

I can remember reading all about Caracaras in Lowery's Louisiana bird book when I was a kid.  According to Lowery, Caracaras nested in small numbers in the Gum Cove area of Calcasieu Parish.  I later learned that a ferry ran out to Gum Cove, and I hoped to get out there someday to see a Caracara.  These "Mexican Eagles" would have been easy enough to see in their expected range in southern Florida, or in southern Texas or Arizona, but the idea that this exotic looking bird actually had a toehold in Louisiana seemed pretty exciting.

Years passed, and I learned the ferry to Gum Cove had stopped operating.  I also heard things that made me believe the tiny Louisiana population had probably dwindled out.  Then, a little over a decade ago, Caracaras began to be reported regularly from the Fabacher Road area of Calcasieu Parish, and it seemed as if maybe the little group had managed to survive.  I went out and eventually got a look at one, and counted myself lucky.

Since then, Caracaras have staged something of a population explosion in our state.  It's not uncommon to see several in a day of birding now anywhere in SW LA.  Caracaras have  been reported as far east as Lafayette and Iberia Parishes.   There's no telling if the increased numbers come from the old Gum Cove stock, or from Texas birds spreading out.  Whatever the case, the Caracara is a great addition to our wildlife.

These pictures were taken today.  The perched bird was within sight of the Gulf in Cameron Parish.  The flying bird was part of a family of two adults and two young birds in Calcasieu Parish south of Holmwood.  Click to enlarge.