This is a yellow-headed caracara (a relative of the falcons) perched open to search for food. The bird is a medium-sized bird of prey, 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 in) long, which is a true omnivore. Its diet is based on carrion, insects, crabs, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, bird eggs and chicks. However, surprisingly, it supplements this animalistic diet with fruits, coconuts, corn and seeds. One peculiarity is that it picks ticks from cattle and other large mammals. It is found throughout most of Central and South America except in the southwest.