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Geographic
range: Nearctic - Neotropical: Found from S U.S.A. throughout
Mexico south to Central and S South America (Tierra del Fuego).
Physical characteristics: Crown
and crest black, as well as lower chest, belly and upperparts. Face,
neck and upper chest white. Tail is white with a wide black terminal
band. Adults have pale blue bill and pale brown to yellow eyes. Cere
and lores are bright orange, legs yellowish to red.
Food habits: Feeds mostly on carrion
and arthropods. Vertebrate prey (mammals, birds and reptiles) are
primarily captured to feed nestlings and marginally as food for breeding
or immature adults.
Reproduction: Nests are formed as
a mass of sticks in a small tree or bush. Typical clutch has 2 -4
buff or brown eggs with dark mottling.
Behavior: Usually seen singly or
in pairs, occasionally in groups up to 50 individuals. Agile on ground,
often attracted to road kill.
Habitat: Open to semiopen habitat, with scattered trees and
bushes. |
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