The Crested caracara is a resident breeder in northern South America and most of Central America, just reaching the southernmost parts of the United States, including Florida, where it is resident but listed as threatened. South of the United States\' border, it is a commonly seen large raptor.

This is a bird of open country, which nests in a tree or on the ground, laying 2 to 4 eggs. It is 23 inches long with a 4 foot wingspan. Individuals have also been observed both in the air and on the ground, in urban areas near nature reserves.

The Crested caracara is broad-winged and long-tailed. It also has long legs and frequently walks and runs on the ground. It is very cross-shaped in flight. The adult has a black body, wings, crest and crown. The neck, rump, and conspicuous wing patches are white, and the tail is white with black barring and a broad terminal band. The breast is white, finely barred with black. The bill is thick, grey and hooked, and the cere is red. This species has bare skin around the eye that can change color in seconds. Sexes are similar, but immature birds have a brown back, buff neck and throat, and pale breast streaked with brown. The voice of this species is a low rattle.

The Crested caracara is omnivorous, and it will eat reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals as well as carrion.