A Most Remarkable Creature

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An enthralling account of a modern voyage of discovery introduces a rare and mysterious bird of prey—the caracara—that puzzled Darwin and fascinates contemporary falconers. In 1833, Charles Darwin encountered these striking, social falcons in the Falkland Islands, noting their curious and mischievous nature as they stole items from the crew of the Beagle. Though intrigued by their confinement to remote islands at the southern tip of South America, Darwin set aside this mystery. Nearly two centuries later, Jonathan Meiburg embarks on a quest across South America, from the foggy coasts of Tierra del Fuego to the tropical forests of Guyana, in search of the rare striated caracaras. He uncovers their captivating history, origins, and potential futures. Along the way, Meiburg highlights the life and work of William Henry Hudson, a Victorian writer and naturalist who celebrated caracaras as an overlooked marvel of nature. He also explores falconry parks in England, where trained caracaras demonstrate remarkable memory and problem-solving abilities. This narrative blends science writing, travelogue, and biography, offering a generous and accessible yet sophisticated exploration of these remarkable creatures.