IBRC 9-B-10

From: David Irons
To: Alan Contreras ; David Trochlell
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 1:16 PM
Subject: RE: Idaho Crested Caracara/Book review

Dave,

For a couple decades (1980s and 90s) increasing reports of northerly Crested Caracaras were treated as de facto escapees. I think the trend towards this brand of conservatism was started by the California committee. More recently, the sheer number of reports (nearly two dozen in California) and 6 or 7 from Oregon have led most of the members of both states' BRCs to conclude that most, if not all, of these records represent wild birds. Since caracaras don't hunt per se, it makes little sense to assume that they are a desirable bird to have in captivity. Oregon records, and I believe many of the CA records, have come from late winter to early spring presenting a pattern of occurrence of sorts. Unless there is good reason to believe that the Idaho bird is a potential escapee, it is probably safe to assume that it arrived there on its own.

I doubt anyone would look askance at your committee if it were to accept a CRCA in your state as being wild.