In the Southeast, these birds also fit into the Turkey Vulture/Black Vulture feeding scheme. What are they, and what is their role?
Answer:
These are Crested Cara Caras. They catch prey, but they also eat carrion. Instead of searching for it, they perch on trees or powerlines, and watch Black Vultures. Turkey Vultures find the carrion by smell. Black vultures high in the sky watch them, and swoop down to take over. Cara Caras are more aggressive than Black Vultures. When they see Black Vultures swooping down, they follow to take the meal for themselves
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