Rare Bird Sighting in Quebec: A Crested Caracara’s Unexpected Journey

Quebec is currently hosting a very unusual visitor: a Crested Caracara, a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family, typically found in Central and South America. The magnificent raptor has been observed by numerous birdwatchers, particularly in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, throughout the weekend.

This bird is strikingly colourful, boasting a black cap, an orange or reddish face, a light grey beak, and long yellow legs. Its neck and chest are white, contrasting with the black of the rest of its body. While sightings of Crested Caracaras in Quebec aren’t entirely unheard of, they remain quite rare in North America. Typically, their range doesn’t extend much further north than southern Texas.

A Rare Occurrence

“This would be the fifth record for Quebec. The first sighting was in 2012, and the most recent before this one was in 2024,” explains Jean-Sébastien Guénette, Executive Director of QuébecOiseaux. The big question on everyone’s mind is how this bird ended up so far from its usual habitat.

Guénette believes the phenomenon is called “vagrancy,” where an individual strays far outside its normal range, migration route, or wintering grounds, often due to climatic factors or navigational errors. “It’s a bird that gets lost. When they disperse, looking for new territories for example, they can overshoot their usual range,” he explains.

How Did It Get Here?

The current migratory period and southerly winds likely played a role in carrying the caracara to Quebec. “Birds take advantage of southerly winds to help with migration. So, it’s possible the bird was carried further than intended,” Guénette observes. “In recent days, there have been good southerly wind events that have brought true migrants back to Quebec. That’s a possibility.”

Fortunately, the bird isn’t in any danger. The milder weather at this time of year means it can easily find food, such as small mammals, birds, and carrion. It poses no threat to humans or pets, as it is quite shy.

Where to Spot the Caracara

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of this rare visitor, you can check ebird.org, where sightings are reported in real-time. This website is a valuable resource for birdwatchers and provides up-to-date information on bird locations.

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