Carunculated Caracara

The carunculated caracara (Daptrius carunculatus) is a species of bird of prey in the family Falconidae, the falcons and caracaras. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. == Taxonomy and systematics == The carunculated caracara was formally described in 1853 as Phalcoboenus carunculatus by the French naturalist Marc Œillet des Murs based on a specimen collected in Colombia. A more detailed unpublished description by des Murs dating from 1845 was published in an article by Philip Sclater in 1861. The carunculated caracara is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised. The carunculated caracara was formerly placed in the genus Phalcoboenus. Molecular genetic studies found that the genus Milvago was polyphyletic with the chimango caracara sister to the genus Phalcoboenus and the yellow-headed caracara sister to the genus Daptrius. As the genetic divergence was relatively shallow, the polyphyly was resolved by expanding the genus Daptrius to include the species formerly placed in the genera Milvago and Phalcoboenus. == Description == The carunculated caracara is 50 to 56 cm (20 to 22 in) long with a wingspan of 112 to 119 cm (44 to 47 in). The sexes' plumages are alike. Adults are mostly glossy black with a bold pattern of white streaks on…