COMMUNAL ROOSTING OF THE CRESTED CARACARA IN SOUTHERN GUATEMALA

Up to 178 Crested Caracaras (Polyborus plancus) were observed roosting communally in a single large Ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) in southern Guat emala. The roost was used throughout the winter of 1993, mainly by (si milar to 70%) immature caracaras, although three other bird species we re also observed. No interspecific interactions were noted. The roost may facilitate the acquisition of rare and patchily distributed food ( carrion) via one or more foraging-related mechanisms.