The Striated Caracara is primarily a scavenger, feeding on carrion, offal and small invertebrates that it digs up with its claws. However it will also prey on weak or injured creatures, such as young seabirds. Its habit of attacking newborn lambs and weakened sheep has led it to be ruthlessly persecuted by sheep farmers. Shooting a Striated Caracara now can result in a fine of £3000, even if it is causing damage to livestock or property. As a large bird of prey, it is a powerful predator yet it is ridiculously tame which leaves it very vulnerable to persecution.

The current Falkland population of about 500 pairs is now concentrated on remote, uninhabited islands when breeding. The main prey species are colonial seabirds.

Although a very powerful bird it is often described as mischievous and inquisitive. Often it is known to steal red objects such as clothing or handkerchiefs, possibly because red is the colour of meat. Like all falconiformes it has excellent colour vision which easily surpasses that of any known mammal. Often it will also raid dustbins and move rocks to get food from underneath, thus proving themselves to be one of the most intelligent of the birds of prey.