Bird Guide

Greater Kestrel vs Red-throated Caracara

Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides)

Greater Kestrel

Falco rupicoloides

Medium261 gGrassland

The plumage of the adult is mainly pale rufous, both above and below. The back, upperwing and flanks are barred with black. The breast has dark streaks and the head is streaked but has no malar stripe unlike the common and lesser kestrels. The rump and tail are grey with black bars; the tail has a white tip. In flight, the whitish underwing contrasts with the darker body. The iris of the eye is whitish, distinguishing the bird from any similar species. The bill is mainly blue-grey and the feet and cere are yellow.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Anja J. · CC BY 4.0
Red-throated Caracara (Ibycter americanus)

Red-throated Caracara

Ibycter americanus

Large624 gForest

Males average 20.1 in (51 cm) long, while females average 22.1 in (56 cm); they are distinguished from the black caracara by larger size and plumage that is mainly black, with the belly, tail feathers, and undertail feathers being white. Both their faces and throats are bare, with a few black feathers scattered on the throat; the exposed skin is red. Both male and female red-throated caracaras are similar in appearance. Males have a wing length of 35.55 cm, a tail length of 24.96 cm, a bill length of 2.5 cm, and a tarsal length of 5.41 cm. Females have a wing length of 35.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-throated Caracara
Recorded by Oliver Komar · Alarm call · Darién Province (location based on eBird track, should be accurate within 500 m or less)., Panama · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jean-Paul Boerekamps · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Greater Kestrel and Red-throated Caracara.