Crested Caracaras at Sunset

Drew and I spent the last two hours of January 21st looking for the Smooth-billed Ani in Broward County, Florida. We worked a 100 meter stretch of scrubby habitat along Government Rd. anxiously waiting for the ani to pop out, call, and make it’s presence known. There were numerous birds flying to roost during our ani search including White Ibis, Tree Swallows, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. Unfortunately, we did not see the ani, but two Crested Caracaras stole the show as they flew back-and-forth in search of food before the sun set. It was an incredible sight as we even saw one of the birds carrying a small rodent (pictured below). Even though we did not see the ani, hanging out and watching the sunset with caracaras was pretty darn cool.

Crested Caracara - Tim Schreckengost Crested Caracara - Tim Schreckengost Crested Caracara - Tim Schreckengost Crested Caracara - Tim Schreckengost