Zoo database

Crested caracara

Caracara plancus

Natural diet Crested caracara

Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Vertebrates

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.

Feeding advice Crested caracara

Feed quantity per day

8-10% of body weight

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 products and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 0.12 kg = 118.8 g meat products and whole prey
0.01 x 0.12 kg = 1.2 g supplements

Diet suggestions

Not recommended

Live prey

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).

Common diseases

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

Metabolic bone disease
Amyloidosis
Bumblefoot
Molting Disorders
Obesity

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Whole Prey supplement

Day Old Chicks (Black Box)

Rabbit S 0.9-1.3 kg - 7-11 pcs/box

Regular mice 15-22 g

Regular rats 150-250 g

Joerie de With

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