A Caracara Landed on my Table
On being seen by a wild bird
It was a beautiful morning in Panama. I’d gotten up early and listened to the dawn chorus, a cacophony of bird songs with a strong melodic line provided by a nearby Clay-colored Thrush. I was feeling relaxed, full of a sense of deep joy I often feel when I’m there. To capture the memory, I was sitting on the porch of our Airbnb, taking a moment to do some journaling.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement and before I could react, a Yellow-headed Caracara landed on the table! We made eye contact. I looked at it and it looked at me. Then it turned, loped down the table, and flew off.
I felt ecstatic. A wild bird had just paid me a visit! Magical! Amazing! I felt like dancing over what was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I sat there for several minutes exulting in the adrenaline and delight. Then, still feeling elated and full of wonder, I went up stairs and made some breakfast. I’d no sooner sat back down at the table when the Caracara came back, landing in exactly the same spot as before.
I froze, afraid to move and frighten it away. I waited. It waited. Then slowly, I lowered my bowl to the table. It sauntered right over and peered inside, then daintily took a tiny bite of yogurt. That’s when I realized someone had been feeding this bird. After tasting the yogurt, it shook its head emphatically, flinging drops of yogurt in all directions. Its facial expression seemed unmistakable: Yuk. It looked at me again as if to say: Got anything else?
Now that I realized it was completely unbothered by me, I took lots of pictures but the novelty of having the Caracara around started to wear off. I stood up and told it, “It’s been nice meeting you. Go be a bird!” When I came back a while later, it was gone.
I thought our interaction was over. But I was wrong.
As I was preparing lunch a few hours later, I looked up to see the Caracara perched on the banister outside the wide open front door. Oh no! It’s going to come into house! I ran over and shut the door. Undeterred, it flew toward the open window and bounced off the screen. It stood on the banister screeching, sounding like a thwarted toddler in the cereal aisle. Eventually, though, it gave up and left.
I’d planned to sit on the porch to finish up a sketch I’d started earlier but now I felt wary and unsettled. What if it comes back again? I looked at my gear and came up with a plan. If the bird returned, I’d simply cover my supplies and use the opportunity to do some up-close field sketching. I felt so smug and well prepared, and was completely immersed in my sketch when my cheeky guest returned.
The Caracara marched over and without hesitation, deftly plucked a pencil. My Luminance 6901: Olive Yellow. Ack! One of my good ones! I screamed and it took off.
Fortunately, it was greedy to inspect its prize and landed on top of our rental car. I grabbed a small fallen twig and flung it at the thief. Startled by the harmless stick, the Caracara dropped my precious pencil. I turned around just in time to watch it go back, grab a Polychromos (Burnt Orange 187), and fly off with it.
To my relief, it perched on the banister at the back of the house. I grabbed the only thing handy, a papery dead Cecropia leaf, and lobbed it in the direction of the culprit. The Caracara released its loot and flew off in a huff. The Polychromos pencil seemed a little worse for wear, sporting several beak marks to show to my husband later.
As for me, I was completely electrified with indignation. That stinker! I stomped around for a while, burning off the upset and adrenaline. After a few hours, I concluded that I’d frightened it away, perhaps for good. I felt relieved and a little disappointed.
I’ve seen Yellow-headed Caracaras in Panama for years but until this one landed on my table, I’d never given them very much thought. Sure, I knew they have a penchant for exploration1, but I never considered what being close to one might feel like. In those first moments, I felt seen. As a long-time observer of birds, the tables were turned. I wasn’t watching this creature but it had been watching me! If there’s one thing I want to take home from Panama, it’s the wonder and awe of making eye contact with a wild bird. And that makes me feel like dancing with delight all over again.
🪶 If you’d like to linger a little longer with this unexpected visitor, I’ve included a small gallery of photos below including some very close-up moments with this bold bird.
Insiders also get access to my growing library of bird drawing lessons and reference materials. You’re warmly invited to join us.
