Stories
The Caracaras of Tambopata
Caracaras are rather large birds of prey that occur in grasslands, dry forest, and rainforests from southern Texas south through Central and South America to Tierra del Fuego. The origin of their name comes from the Tupi language of Brazil and may be related to the sound made by the Yellow-headed Caracara. Two to three species are found in most parts of the Amazon rainforest and in Tambopata, Peru, four species of caracaras occur. The Red-throated Caracara frequents the rainforest canopy, and the Black, Yellow-headed, and the Southern Crested Caracara occur along rivers and in open habitats. Most guests of Posada Amazonas, Refugio Amazonas, and the Tambopata Research Center see one or more species of these noisy, conspicuous raptors during their stay.
Adult Caracara
In the Amazon rainforest, the two most common caracara species are the Black and the Red-throated. One of them (the black one) is often seen along rivers and in clearings and other open habitats while the Red-throated is found in primary rainforest. Peru all have fairly long wings and tails, and bare skin on the face. The Yellow-headed and Southern Crested Caracaras have large pale patches on their wings and the base of the tail.
Caracaras are pretty common in most of their range. Although Yellow-headed and Southern Crested Caracaras are easily seen in other parts of their range, these open country birds are very uncommon in Tambopata and occasionally seen along the Tambopata River or in farmlands. The Black and Red-throated Caracaras are the species that are typically seen around rainforest eco-lodges such as Refugio Amazonas and are commonly found on rainforest hikes or during boat rides on the river.
Juvenile Caracara
Some interesting facts about caracaras:
- Odd falcons: Caracaras actually belong to the same family as the falcons. Unlike the Peregrine Falcon and kestrels, caracaras have broader, less pointed wings and don’t catch their prey after hovering or a swift dive from the air. Most species scavenge for carrion and small animals along rivers, beaches, and other open habitats.
- A wasp specialist: The Red-throated Caracara is one of the strangest raptors to occur in the rainforests of Tambopata. Unlike other raptors in the Amazon, it occurs in family groups of four or five birds (and sometimes more) and makes harsh calls that can sound a bit like a macaw. It also appears to be a specialist that feeds on wasp larvae, flying termites, and other insects. Although it is still common in the Amazon jungle, it may need large areas of rainforest to survive as it has disappeared from all but the largest tracts of rainforest in Central America.
Adult Caracara
How to see caracaras during a jungle tour in the Peruvian Amazon:
- Watch for these conspicuous raptors when traveling by boat: Most boat rides on the river turn up sightings of one or more Black Caracara. They are usually seen in flight and can be separated from vultures by their orange face, white at the base of the tail, and flying with floppy wing beats. Red-throated Caracaras are sometimes also seen as they fly across the river but are more commonly encountered on jungle hikes or visits to oxbow lakes. Canopy towers are also excellent places to see caracaras as they fly over the green roof of the jungle and perch in tall snags.
- Go birding with a guide: Although these large, noisy raptors are pretty easy to see on your own, a guide can help identify them or even bring them closer with an imitation of their calls.
Visit the Peruvian jungle with Rainforest Expeditions to see caracaras and other large raptors along with many other interesting Amazonian birds.
-
What our guest say
-
- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Michelle Smith February 2025
Cheryl Cooper February 2025
Irene February 2025
DayTrip816719 Feb 2025
Daniel S Feb 2025
Steve E January 2025
cathydmcd January 2025
Ian Northcott January 2025
Armando Texis Jan 2025
Niriksha Ravi December 2024
Marco At Miranda Dec 2024
MarcStl December 2024


Such a wonderful experience deep in a part of the Amazon, Tambopata NP. They really involve you with what is happening at the research centre with evening lectures. The meals are outstanding and the rooms are comfortable and I had the best sleep. Dino our guide was outstanding. The river trip to see the Macaw claylicks was a beautiful outing. We saw Capybaras along the river and it was very scenic. The staff are friendly and very engaging. As a tour operator who sends clients to AFRICA for safari, I was hugely satisfied. Thank you, gracious. Food & drinks: Good was simply delicious Read all


An amazing experience in the Peruvian jungle. the information about the centre was very accurate so I knew what to expect but was blown away by the experience and competence of my guide for the four nights, Juan Carlos Yatto. JC was looking for birds for me from the moment he collected me at the airport, so we saw birds on the drive and on the boat ride as well as on the excursions themselves. I was in Peru three weeks and JC was my best guide by far. Don't miss the clay licks for sure, and the tower is also well worth the climb. Food and people are wonderful and the research very interesting. Read all


Das Tambopata Research Center ist eine wunderbare Lodge im Nationalpark Tambopata. Die charmanten, miteinander verbundenen Aufenthaltsräume und Zimmer befinden sich auf hölzernen Stelzen. Bei den offenen Gemeinschaftsräumen gibt es gemütliche Sitzecken, eine wunderbare Hängemattenrelaxzone und einen herrlichen Restaurantbereich, wo zu jeder Zeit Tee, Kaffee und Wasser zur Verfügung stehen. Die stilvollen Zimmer verfügen über bequeme Betten mit Moskitonetz und moderne, saubere Duschbereiche. Die Research Center Lodge mit den Forschungseinrichtungen liegt inmitten des Regenwaldes umgeben von der reinen Natur mit der fantastischen Flora und Fauna, welche dort auch weiterhin erforscht und geschützt wird. Jeden Abend gibt es dazu sehr interessante Vorträge. Die Mitarbeiter sind sehr freundlich, offen und zuvorkommend. Die Buffets waren sehr köstlich und reichhaltig mit Gerichten aus der Region. Es wird großer Wert auf ökologische und nachhaltig umweltschonende Bewirtschaftung gelegt. Von der Lodge aus ist es möglich, mit ausgebildeten Guides in Gruppen von maximal 6 Personen verschiedene Exkursionen zu machen. Speziell Timo war ausgesprochen freundlich, auf unsere Sicherheit bedacht, ging auf die individuellen Interessen der einzelnen Personen ein und vermittelte uns in seiner kompetenten Art umfangreiches Wissen über die Pflanzen- und Tierwelt. Er hatte dabei die wunderbare Fähigkeit, versteckte Wildtiere zu entdecken, und verschaffte uns wunderschöne Momente, auch durch das mitgetragene Teleskop, wodurch wir der Tierwelt näher sein konnten. So sahen wir u.a. Brüllaffen, Kapuzineraffen und Spideraffen mit ihren Kindern, viele Vögel insbesondere Papageien wie z.B. Scharlach- und Gelbbauch-Aras sowie Wasserschweine und verschiedene Insekten. Wir können diese wunderbare Lodge absolut weiterempfehlen. Die herrliche Tier- und Pflanzenwelt in dem wunderbar erhaltenen und geschützten Regenwald des Amazonas war auf unserer Peru-Reise ein wirklich fantastisches Erlebnis! Read all


Rainforest Expeditions is a wonderful company and the Posadas Amazonas lodge is a beautiful location to spend your time in the Amazon. The staff are all incredibly kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. The tours were very fun and we saw lots of animals including River otters, monkeys, birds, and capybaras. We loved our guide Luis and all the people we met. The food was delicious and locally grown and there was never a dull moment. Would highly recommend! Read all


I went to Posada as part of a wider group trip, so did not pay for it directly. The lodge feels very far from anywhere and yet it feels incredibly safe. The rooms are open to nature, but nothing was ever damaged (use the safe boxes as advised, especially for food - not that you'll need any - the catering is excellent, with plenty of vegetarian options, and snacks are also provided between meals). There are flushing toilets, incredible shower facilities and the beds are very comfortable with mosquito nets placed at night by the staff. Drinking water vats are strategicvally placed throughout the lodge but you may have a long-ish walk to the common areas through corridors. Some parts of the corridors are open to the elements, but umbrellas are provided everywhere in case of rain. There is obviously no air conditioning, but this helps you acclimatise. The lodge is run by a family and others from the Infierno community, which gives the place a homely feel, with resident tour guides and a local geologist for citizen science projects. Massage services are available and there is a local shop for souvenirs and essentials like bug spray, clothing and torches. Tons of activities can be arranged, but it's also nice to relax in the hammocks and common areas and listen to the sounds of nature. While this hotel is not going to be for everyone, I had the most incredible time! Read all


The place to go if you want to see Macaws in the Peruvian rainforest. We stayed at the Tambopata Reaearch Centre (TRC) for three days and had Juan Carlos Yatto as our guide for the duration of our stay. We loved the mission of the TRC ie Macaw conservation and the link between Macaw nest site availability and the overall health of the rainforest. Juan Carlos Yatto (there is another JC at the research centre) was a fantastic guide and really made a difference to our experience at the TRC. His knowledge of the different species of wildlife and plants was amazing, his ability to spot things in the day or at night was phenomenal and he really made things accessible for our group. His English is excellent (including great humour when appropriate) and is a super guy. I really do recommend the TRC abd Juan Carlos Yatto as a guide. We saw an abundance of wildlife of all descriptions thanks to him and learned a huge amount without being overloaded. Read all


Two planes, a bus and a boat…that’s how we made it to TRC, and every minute was worth it. Tambopata is a jewel, from the moment you are greeted by the guide assigned to you (Juan Carlos Gonzales for us) to the last boat ride back to civilization. Juan Carlos was amazing…on just one hike he found five of the seven species of monkeys in the area! He is truly an expert..can hear, see and even SMELL animals, birds and insects to point out to us. We upgraded to a deluxe suite and it was decadent! An elegant outdoor tub and shower on a private balcony was soo nice’ Although we went in the rainy season, it never rained while on a hike or excursion. It rained for a few minutes on our late afternoon cruise , but not enough to dampen our enthusiasm, or prevent us from seeing a capybara in the mid! (And despite the warning of a lot of mosquitoes, I have been bitten more in my own back yard!) The bar is great, there’s PLENTY of food…we are going home feeling so lucky to have had such a great connection to the beauty of the Amazon. Read all


We had a fantastic time for our 3N/4D stay at Tambopata Research Center. The whole experience was marvellous. Rooms and facilities were great and meals superb. The Staff, ably led by Tanya the manager, were all friendly and helpful. This is the only lodge actually inside the Tambopata National Park, and we enjoyed being so "remote". I like that you have one guide who coordinates and takes you on all your activities; Jair our guide was amazing. One morning our planned activity was rained out, and I liked that they have alternative "wet weather" activities planned. There are lectures each night by researchers, which were very interesting. Also citizen science projects that you can participate in. All up, it was a fantastic way to experience the Peruvian Amazon. Read all


Posada Amazonas by Rainforest Expeditions is an extraordinary place. From your arrival at the airport in Puerto Maldonado all the staff is always attentive to your needs. You travel by boat to the hotel Posada Amazonas and it is a unique experience. It really is a total disconnection and a recollection with Mother Nature 🌎 The buffet lunch is delicious (already included in the price). You have a guide who speaks Spanish and English at all times and accompanies you to explore the jungle, the river and other activities. The price is worth it. Outside my room I caught a glimpse of monkeys :) The night sky is starry and very spectacular ✨️ 5 star service. I will definitely come back. Read all


I stayed with my parents at Refugio Amazonas for 3 days. We really enjoyed our stay and had a wonderful time here. The staff were extremely kind and well informed. The lodge manager- Arturo in particular was very helpful. To highlight their culture: They prepared special vegetarian meals for my parents, always ensured we felt comfortable and all our needs were met. A stay here is a must do to get a real feel of the Amazon rainforest on your trip to Peru! Noteworthy details: There are a lot of activities for kids and families to do, but my personal favourites are: Macaw Claylick, OxBow river ride, sunset cruise and the canopy tower. Read all


I can't express how amazing our guides were. Incredibly knowledgeable and able to spot birds, frogs, spiders, animals, etc. with an almost unbelievable ability. The research and contributions to the jungle they are making at the Center are to be commended. The facilities were nice and kept clean and the staff was great, but between the walls in the rooms being open to the jungle, the heat, the bugs, underpowered fans, having to completely cover up for hikes due to bugs and then getting overheated, etc. it made for a tough stay. The food was good but after a couple days became repetitive. I would recommend this for serious birders who are willing to endure a bit for an incredible adventure. Read all
-
April 04, 2015 We found (and yelled at) a crazy tentacled caterp...
On my recent travels through the Peruvian Amazon, I came upon the craziest caterpillar that I have ever seen and subsequently yelled at it for hours. Why did I yell at it? Well,...
Read more -
June 24, 2016 Side Necked Turtles - Two Hundred Years Ago...
Our guides spot and point at little side-necked Turtles (taricayas, Podocnemis unifilis) on the Tambopata River. Sometimes, lines of yellow butterflies flutter above their eyes, tr...
Read more -
January 26, 2018 Hoatzins, Magellan and the Vikings: world´s grea...
The Hoatzin that crossed the ocean... Magellan circumnavigated the globe in 1537. The world's first sailor to do so. He even got a strait named after him – his cla...
Read more