ML201859851 IBC 1560393

Iruzkina

A Striated Caracara catching then dropping a Rockhopper Penguin chick, then being driven off. The Striated Caracara (Phalcoboenus australis) is known as the Johnny Rook by Falklanders. They are more abundant on the Falklands than in Tierra del Fuego, and scavenge carrion, mainly sheep and dead birds, and human refuse. Striated Caracaras are also predators, and often hang around cormorant and penguin rookeries, looking for an opportunity to steal eggs or chicks. There is a large combined rookery of Imperial Shags and Southern Rockhopper Penguins at Cape Evans on Pebble Island in West Falkland. A Striated Caracara waited at the rookery edge, then took off and grabbed a Rockhopper Penguin chick in its talons. It flew away from the rookery with its prize, but dropped it after a couple of metres – the chick appeared to be too heavy for the Caracara. The Caracara was then chased off by adult Rockhoppers, but flew over the rookery again with Shags and Penguins fending it off. Elevation: 9 m. Date added to IBC: February 5, 2019.