I was surprised to learn the other day that caracaras are big falcons rather than a hawk or small eagle.
I've always loved watching birds of prey, especially owls when I'm lucky enough to see them. One time while driving on a dirt road in Arizona, I saw a great horned swoop down and grab a cottontail rabbit about 20 yards in front of me. If only I had a (video) camera handy.
I watched a Redtailed Hawk swoop down and pick up a squirrel in the middle of my back yard. About 20 feet up in the air the squirrel wiggled free and fell to the ground. He staggered off and the hawk did not come back to get him.