White-throated caracara | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Falconiformes |
Family: | Falconidae |
Genus: | Phalcoboenus |
Species: | P. albogularis |
Binomial name | |
Phalcoboenus albogularis Gould, 1837 |
The white-throated caracara (Phalcoboenus albogularis) is a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family. It is found in grasslands and other barren habitats in the Andes of southern Chile and Argentina. It is generally uncommon to fairly common. A highly opportunistic bird commonly seen walking on the ground, it will feed on both carrion and virtually any small animal it can catch. It resembles the closely related mountain caracara, but unlike that species its underparts (including chest and throat) are entirely white. Juveniles are far less distinctive than the yellow-faced pied adults, being overall brown with dull pinkish-grey facial skin.