Water Reservoirs and Power Lines as Mortality Sources for Crested Caracaras

Abstract

Human infrastructures are artificial elements of the landscape that may affect birds’ survival. Drowning in water reservoirs and by electrocution in power lines are well known sources of anthropic mortality for birds of prey. The Crested Caracara Caracara plancus is one of the most common raptors across several environments in South America. However, up to date, no record had been published of cases of drowned or electrocuted Crested Caracara. Here we report the drowning of two adult and the electrocution of three adult Crested Caracas, adding these two mortality causes to the sources of anthropic mortality that affect this species.