Zoo database

Crested caracara

Caracara plancus

Natural diet Crested caracara

The crested caracara is a versatile carnivorous predator and opportunistic feeder. They are known for both scavenging carrion and hunting a wide range of (dead) prey, including small birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. They are unique among birds of prey, as they are known to stalk their prey on foot.

Insects
Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Vertebrates
Vertebrates

Feeding advice Crested caracara

Feed quantity per day

8-10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 1.2 kg and eats 10% of its body weight, it will get
 
1.2 x 0.1 = 0.12 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Meat and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 0.12 kg = 119 g meat and whole prey
0.01 x 0.12 kg = 1 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of prey

Whole prey

Supplements

Not recommended

Live prey

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Amyloidosis
  • Bumblefoot
  • Molting Disorders
  • Obesity

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over one feeding moment per day.
  • When feeding thawed whole prey, then supplementation is recommended.
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by stacking or hiding the food. Another method is to use feed puzzles and feeding whole prey (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).