Adaptation of Crested Caracaras (Caracara plancus) to Urban Environments: First Report of a Nest Made of Human-Made Materials

Nest of a pair of Crested Caracaras (Caracara plancus) found approximately 35 m above the ground, near the top of a 27-m-high cell phone tower on 23 May 2019: (a) A member of the climbing team that removed the nest; (b) Nest from above, including one egg. Pictures provided by Alpin Serviços de Manutenção Predial LTDA.

Side, top, and detailed views of the Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) nest. The nest was constructed mainly of anthropogenic materials such as wires, plastic, and fabric. The nest is currently deposited at the Bird Collection of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE 6524), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Materials used in the construction of an urban Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) nest. The materials used included (a) plant matter (small and flexible twigs), (b) metallic material (simple or twisted steel and iron wires), (c) copper electrical wires, (d) synthetic materials (nylon and plastic threads), (e) cotton strings, wool rope, fabric, and (f) a paper tag.