CARACARA, the name given to three American genera of the family Falconidae. Also called carrion-hawks, the caracaras are recognized by their long legs and the brightly coloured naked skin of the cheeks and throat. They are gregarious and feed largely on carrion, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The Audubon caracara (Polyborus clieriway) is resident in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Lower California and also in South America.