Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus) has one of the most diversified diets and versatile foraging tactics among the Falconiformes. I present here a general view of the feeding habits of this falconid in Brazil, with about 10 main food types and a similar number of foraging tactics. Additionally, I comment on the feeding habits of the Caracarini and note that the trophic versatility of C. plancus is a feature shared with other species of this group that dwell in open areas. Phylogenetic studies place C. plancus as one of the basalmost species within the group, which may indicate that wide diet and behavioural versatility of the Caracarini are ancestral traits. The two Milvago species and Daptrius ater seem to be more specialised in some features (e.g., habitual tick-cleaning), but Phalcoboenus has a trophic pattern similar to that of Caracara though it forages cooperatively.154592597Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)