The Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango), an additional fisher among Caracarini falcons

Abstract

The Caracarini falcons are among the most versatile birds of prey, and their variable diet includes fishes, which may be taken as carrion. However, fishing behaviour is described for two species. Here we describe the Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) fishing at an estuary in Chile, Pacific coast of South America. The caracara flew and glided close to water surface, hovering on occasions. After such a hovering, the bird plunged and attempted to snatch a prey with its talons. If successful, the caracara carried the fish in its talons and landed on an adjacent beach where the prey was torn apart and eaten. The 'glide-hover' technique of the Chimango Caracara differs slightly from the fishing recorded for the closely related Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima), which plunges to the prey from a nearby perch ('perch to water'). The Black Caracara (Daptrius ater) picks up fish individually with its bill or talons while staying on a river bank ('ground foraging'). Thus, at least three fishing techniques are used by the Caracarini falcons, a group already known for its varied foraging techniques.

Anotaciones etológicas de Milvago chimachima, Vieillot, 1816 (Aves: Falconidae)

“…chimachima and M. chimango engage in fishing behavior (11,13,14); the observed technique consisted of the location of prey from a perch following by flight and diving into the water, called "perch to water" or "water perch" (13,14). Whereas, M. chimango glides over to the water, "Glide-hover".…”

“…Whereas, M. chimango glides over to the water, "Glide-hover". However, the technique depends on the availability of perches (13).…”

“…Por otro lado, de manera puntual, se sabe que entre las aves rapaces, los halcones Caracarini Neotropicales son reconocidos por su versatilidad de forrajeo (12), y su dieta amplia se considera muy variable (6,13), lo cual quedó evidenciado en este estudio de forma puntual, tanta para los adultos como para los juveniles.…”

“…En cuanto al comportamiento pesquero se sabe que tiene ocurrencia en M. chimachima y en M. chimango (11,13,14); la técnica observada, consistente en la localización de la presa desde la percha para luego volar en caída y sumergirse en la superficie del agua, denominada "perch to water" o "percha al agua" y es la que mejor se ajusta a lo registrado (13,14). La técnica de pesca descrita anteriormente difiere de la que utiliza M. chimango, que se caracteriza por deslizarse sobre el agua "Glide-hover".…”

“…La técnica de pesca descrita anteriormente difiere de la que utiliza M. chimango, que se caracteriza por deslizarse sobre el agua "Glide-hover". Sin embargo, se afirma que la técnica depende de la disponibilidad de perchas (13).…”