Crested Caracara

Amazing flight shot, Gene. Great action and detail. What is the significance of their locked talons? Very cool behavior!

Very unique action photo.

Ron Day wrote:Amazing flight shot, Gene. Great action and detail. What is the significance of their locked talons? Very cool behavior!

Ron,
I don't think there's any real significance to locking talons, except that it's something that they can get a good grip on.  Sometimes, they will lock talons pretty high up and spiral down until just before hitting the ground.  It seems that all the Raptors do this, not just Caracaras.

Fabulous action Gene!

Gene Gwin wrote:

Ron Day wrote:Amazing flight shot, Gene. Great action and detail. What is the significance of their locked talons? Very cool behavior!

Ron,
I don't think there's any real significance to locking talons, except that it's something that they can get a good grip on.  Sometimes, they will lock talons pretty high up and spiral down until just before hitting the ground.  It seems that all the Raptors do this, not just Caracaras.

Yes, I've seen the behavior with eagles also. I thought you may have witnessed something that may have triggered the event.

Great interaction image. That juvie really hooked on to both feet.

Terrific action shot-I've never seen this behavior.

Paul Rossi wrote:Great interaction image.  That juvie really hooked on to both feet.

Paul, If you click on the image, the detail is better and if you look at the juvenile, you'll notice that the beak is a bluish color.  The bluish color indicates that the juvenile is very mad.  In that case, even an adult will give leeway to a juvenile.   

Nice action shot Gene! I have seen this with Bald Eagles spiraling down with locked talons only to let go just above the ground.

Ludo

very nice action shot. Is the attacking one a juvi?

Karl Egressy wrote:very nice action shot. Is the attacking one a juvi?

Karl,
Yes he is.  It's certainly not typical.

Love this shot. Nicely photographed.

spectacular action Gene!