Southern Cara Cara

Richard Wagener

Richard Wagener did this woodengraving of a Cara Cara in an edition of 16. He commented on how difficult a task it was to change the direction of the post and make it lighter than the background. All the lines are cut individually, not with a multiple line tool.

The Cara Cara is also known as the Southern Crested Caracara, and is native to the southern U.S. down to northern South America. It is a species of falcon. The name comes from its distinct call. The Audobon Society notes:

"Related to the typical falcons, but very different in shape and habits. The Crested Caracara is a strikingly patterned, broad-winged opportunist that often feeds on carrion. Aggressive, it may chase vultures away from road kills. Widespread in the American tropics, it enters our area only near the Mexican border and in Florida."