ML621808903

Observation details

Continuing rarity from Central and South America! We started looking by the eight green dumpsters in parking lot 3 as soon as we got into the park at 8:00 am, but around 9:30 it rained heavily for over an hour as we staked out the dumpsters. After the rain while looking at the San Blas Jay in lot 3 we heard the very loud wailing and fearsome Keeeeeeee call of the Yellow-headed Caracara as it came careening in to the dumpster area. It perched briefly in trees several times and always well hidden. A few challenging photos obtained before it departed to the east side over the trees. Whitish light colored head with yellow lores, dark brown upper wing with white primary patches visible in flight. Whitish tail with medium fine dark barring and black terminal band. Lighter underparts. Amazing and rewarding sighting. Was looking forward to seeing this bird all year while watching reports from my home in Connecticut. Drove down five hours from the gulf coast of Florida to try for it and made it a mini vacation within a vacation for the family. Lifer! Photos.