CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

The Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) is one of the most common and abundant raptors throughout its meridional distribution. However, both in Argentina in general and in La Pampa Province in particular, little is known about this species. We studied some aspects of their breeding ecology in an agricultural area (AA) and two protected areas that we called altogether semi-natural area (SA) in the center-east of the La Pampa Province, from 2010 to 2019. Caracaras built most nests in native Caldén trees (Prosopis caldenia), although they also used species of exotic trees (associated with roads and ranch houses) and human-made structures. In both areas, caracaras selected the highest available substrates to locate their nests (12.1 ± 6.1 m; n= 94). In the AA they selected nesting substrates in open areas in pasture or grassland habitats, while in the SA Caldén forest was the dominant cover, although not significantly. We monitored 94 breeding events belonging to 50 nesting territories. The breeding season extended from August to January, concentrating fundamentally between September and December. The average height of the nest was 8.8 m in the AA (n= 63) and 10.4 m in the SA (n=17). The breeding parameters recorded in our study area were similar to those previously reported for the species throughout its distribution and there were no significant differences between the two areas or between years. The overall average breeding success was 62% (n=81). Mortality factors included predation, weather, fledglings vehicle collisions and entanglement with man-made nest material. Our results support the previously described great plasticity of this species. Given its important role in providing ecosystem services and its vulnerability to human persecution, we believe that the information provided in this study is valuable for its conservation.

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