With the city of Quito spread out below, a curiquingue preens its feathers on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano. The curiquingue, known in English as a carunculated caracara (Phalcoboenus carunculatus), has played an important role in the culture of the Andes for centuries. It was a sacred bird to the Incas and its feathers were used to adorn the headress of the Sapa Inca (literally "the only Inca"), the supreme leader of the people.