Guadalupe caracara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guadalupe caracara |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caracara
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| Species: |
lutosa
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| Synonyms | |
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Polyborus plancus lutosus |
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The Guadalupe caracara (Caracara lutosa) was a type of bird of prey. It is now extinct. This bird belonged to the falcon family, known as Falconidae. People also called it the mourning caracara. Other names for it were the quelili or the calalie. It was closely related to the crested caracara (Caracara plancus).
Contents
Where the Caracara Lived and Its Family Tree
Island Home
This special bird lived only on Guadalupe Island in Mexico. It stayed on this island until the early 1900s.
Understanding Its Species
Sometimes, people mistakenly call the living crested caracara by the name "Guadalupe caracara." This is because the extinct Guadalupe caracara was once thought to be a type of the crested caracara. Scientists later decided in the year 2000 that it was a completely separate species.
Why the Guadalupe Caracara Disappeared
Conflict with Humans
The Guadalupe caracara was hunted to extinction. This happened because goat herders on Guadalupe Island saw the birds as a problem. The caracaras sometimes hunted young goats. This made the herders want to get rid of them.
A Witness's Account
One observer, Edward Palmer, described the caracaras as being very watchful. He said they would sometimes try to catch chickens or other farm animals. He also mentioned that the birds would attack young goats. They would work together to separate the weakest goat. The herders believed the caracaras caused a lot of harm to their animals.
The Role of Goats
It is important to know that at the same time, many wild goats were living on the island. These goats caused a lot of damage to the island's plants. This destruction of the natural home also led to other species disappearing. The caracaras were killed off because of the conflict with humans and their livestock.
Efforts to Document the Caracara
Last Sightings
In 1876, the Guadalupe caracara was common on the island. However, by March 1897, only one bird was seen. More birds were found later. On December 1, 1900, a collector named Rollo Beck found 11 caracaras. He collected nine of them for science. He thought the birds were still common because they were not afraid. He might have collected the very last ones. There was one more possible sighting in 1903. By 1906, the bird was definitely gone.
A Sad Example of Extinction
The Guadalupe caracara is one of the few animals that humans intentionally made extinct. Goat farmers wanted the birds gone because they believed the caracaras were a big threat to their young goats. However, the caracara's role as a goat predator was likely exaggerated.
Lost Together
When the Guadalupe caracara disappeared, another tiny creature also vanished. A type of louse called Acutifrons caracarensis lived only on the Guadalupe caracara. When its host bird died out, the louse also became extinct. This is called coextinction.
Remaining Evidence
Today, about 35 specimens of the Guadalupe caracara still exist. These include skins, skeletons, and two eggs. You can see some of these specimens in museums. They are displayed in cities like Chicago, Washington, and London.
