Crested Caracara
It’s Christmas Bird Count time. I was scheduled to go on the Howe CBC on Wednesday, but my foot has been giving me a lot of trouble, so I stayed home. Later that night I got a few phone calls on my cell phone saying I made a big mistake by missing the count, but there was no specific bird or reason mentioned. So, I called Steve last night and he said they had found a Crested Caracara on the count. Crested Caracara is a subtropical falcon that nests no closer than extreme southern Arizona. I talked Jon into heading out there with me yesterday. He and I met Steve at Sage junction and headed out towards Howe. Some birders from Sun Valley eventually refound the bird. We eventually all got good looks at it. It was a pretty fun bird chase. Tomorrow is the Rexburg CBC. I hope we find something good, but I don’t see how it could top a Caracara.
Here are some photographs. The bird photographs were taken by Jon. I took the photographs of the birders.
Enjoy.
Steve looking at Crested Caracara in a bird guide
Several local birders enjoying the Caracara
nerds
Great to see you blogging Darren. I've added you to my blog roll so I'll be able to follow all of your updates. I covet Crested Caracaras. I tried seeing them around Tucson, AZ a couple years ago, but just missed them.
Thanks for the card. Awesome about the bird!
I found your blog through Robert Mortenson's blog. I used to live near Howe in Arco and Moore in the mid 1980's. Now I live in SE Arizona where that bird is sometimes seen. I have only seen it once at Whitewater Draw. How amazing that it showed up there! I hope you submitted your count to eBird!