Head to head
Chimango Caracara vs Crested Caracara
Chimango Caracara
VS Crested Caracara
Both caracaras walk the ground scavenging for food rather than hunting from the air, but they differ in size and geographic reach.
| Chimango Caracara | Crested Caracara | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Milvago chimango | Caracara plancus |
| Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Adaptability | Thrives in wild, farmland, and urban habitats | Adaptable across open habitat, less urban-focused |
| Behaviour | Ground-walking, opportunistic scavenging | Ground-walking, steals from other scavengers |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Increasing | Stable |
| Range | Southern South America | Southern United States to South America |
| Habitat | Grassland, coastal | Grassland, savanna |
Chimango Caracara vs Crested Caracara: common questions
Which one is larger?
The crested caracara is larger, noticeably bigger than the more compact chimango caracara.
Which one has the wider overall range?
The crested caracara has the wider range, found from the southern United States through Central America and much of South America, compared with the chimango caracara's more limited southern South American range.
Which one steals food from other scavengers?
The crested caracara does this, readily stealing food from vultures and other scavengers at a carcass, a confrontational habit not specifically documented for the chimango caracara.