Birder, photographer, and park visitor Lora Reynolds captured this exciting behavior earlier this month in the park: a Black Vulture preening a Crested Caracara.
Preening is a necessary social and physical behavior that helps maintain feathers, reduce parasites, and build relationship bonds. Crested Caracaras are carrion eaters, just like the two species of vultures in the park.
It is very rare to see one species preening another. It is extra thrilling to have seen this behavior in Phil Hardberger Park! The regular presence of raptors in the park demonstrates that the park has a thriving ecosystem that supports all levels of the habitat, including the top predators and carrion eaters.
