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Caracara

 - 3 dictionary results

ca⋅ra⋅ca⋅ra

  [kahr-uh-kahr-uh, kar-uh-kar-uh]
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–noun
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.
Origin:
1830–40; < Sp or Pg < Tupi; imit. of its cry
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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car·a·car·a   (kār'ə-kār'ə, -kə-rä')   
n.  Any of several large, carrion-eating or predatory hawks of the subfamily Caracarinae, native to South and Central America and the southern United States.

[Spanish and Portuguese caracará, both from Tupi caracara.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

caracara

any of about 10 species of birds of prey of the New World subfamily Polyborinae (or Daptriinae) of the family Falconidae. Caracaras feed largely on carrion, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They are gregarious and aggressive. In spite of their smaller size, they dominate vultures when feeding. Caracaras are recognized by their long legs and by the reddish naked skin of the cheeks and throat. They range in size from 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 inches) long.

Learn more about caracara with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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