A new species of large, terrestrial caracara from Holocene deposits in southern Jamaica (Aves: Falconidae)

Abstract

A new species of caracara, Caracara tellustris, is described from cave deposits in the arid Portland Ridge area of southern Jamaica. It is characterized by great size and much reduced wings, and was probably almost completely terrestrial in habits if not even flightless. It was thus probably confined to the more arid southern areas of the island where open country would be compatible with a terrestrial mode of life. © 2008 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc.