The Crested Caracara is the national bird of Mexico. Found mainly in tropical regions, it is both predator and scavenger. They have black crests, orange-red beaks, and long, yellow colored legs, making them easily distinguishable from other birds of prey. The look is similar to a mini-eagle.
Caracaras have a distinctive hoarse cackle, which they employ to squawk. They will make a shrieking noise when they feel threatened. It sounds like “cara cara,” which gives them their name.
These birds of legend are considered an omen of good luck. They were sacred and held in high esteem by the Aztec and Mayan cultures, who wore jewelry of their claws and headdresses of their feathers. Mexican folklore usually shows Caracaras as being fearless and admired for their bravery. Mexico is the only country in which the Caracara is a national symbol.
According to Aztec legend, the people were wandering in Mexico in search of a sign that their god, Huitzilopochtli, had given them. He commanded them to ?nd a Crested Caracara perched on top of a cactus, devouring a snake. After two hundred years of wandering, they found the promised sign on a small island in Lake Texcoco. Their search and wandering ended and they founded their new capital, now Mexico City. This scene is depicted on the Mexican ?ag. In addition to the name of the bird, caracara also means face to face in Spanish. Due to all of the above we felt it was only appropriate to name our restaurant Caracara Mexican Grill.
Buen Provecho!