The Crested Caracara is a falcon with the ways of a vulture. Feeds mostly on carrion, but does hunt small animal and insects. It inhabits open brush lands and seems to take to farm fields ok.
The Crested Caracara has been called the "four-point bird" because it shows white at all four points in flight, head, tail, and wingtips. There is a black terminal band on the tail, and it has a black shaggy crest on a white head and neck. The crest makes it look like a Bald Eagle with a bad toupee. The body is black, but many birds have a dark brown tint to them.
Look for the Crested Caracara at Attwater NWR, San Bernard NWR, and in the fields around Brazos Bend State Park
A Breeding Range Map is available form the Breeding Bird Survey
A Winter Distribution Map is available from the Christmas Bird Count