Bird field guide · Falcons and Caracaras

Photographing the Yellow-headed Caracara

How to photograph the Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, February and March).

22–60 cm1/2500–1/3200 s
Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima)
Photo: © Rodrigo Paiva Lázaro, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rodrigo Paiva Lázaro via iNaturalist
22–60 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/800 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2500–1/3200 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
6,070
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/800 s
Shutter (action)1/2500–1/3200 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionFor flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 41 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)141 mm210 mm94 mm70 mm
10 m (33 ft)282 mm421 mm188 mm141 mm
15 m (49 ft)422 mm631 mm282 mm211 mm
20 m (66 ft)563 mm841 mm375 mm282 mm
30 m (98 ft)845 mm1,262 mm563 mm422 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,408 mm2,103 mm939 mm704 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 13% Jan Feb: 12% Feb Mar: 11% Mar Apr: 8% Apr May: 7% May Jun: 7% Jun Jul: 8% Jul Aug: 7% Aug Sep: 5% Sep Oct: 5% Oct Nov: 9% Nov Dec: 9% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, February and March.

About the Yellow-headed Caracara#

The yellow-headed caracara (Daptrius chimachima) is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is found in tropical and subtropical South America and the southern portion of Central America. Unlike the falcons in the same family, the caracara is not a fast-flying aerial hunter, but is rather sluggish and often obtains food by scavenging.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Kestrels hover on windy days — a great chance at sharp flight shots.
  • For flight shots use wide-area tracking and +0.3 to +1 EV against bright sky.
  • Sightings peak in January, February and March, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Falcons and Caracaras#

American Kestrel American KestrelFalco sparverius Crested Caracara Crested CaracaraCaracara plancus Merlin MerlinFalco columbarius Peregrine Falcon Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Yellow-headed Caracara?

At about 41 cm long, a yellow-headed caracara fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 282 mm, or at 20 m with 563 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Yellow-headed Caracara?

1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Yellow-headed Caracara?

Observations in North America peak in January, February and March. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources