4.2 stars. This fascinating book covers not only caracaras, one of the world’s most interesting bird species, but the colonial history of South America, evolutionary biology, and the colorful field researchers who have dedicated their lives to studying South American wildlife. And unlike many wildlife books I’ve read in recent years, it ends on a note so hopeful and charming it brought tears to my eyes. A terrific, layperson/oriented read, and one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read this decade.