Birds
Black-and-chestnut Eagle
Spizaetus isidori
Deep in Andean cloud forest, a black-and-chestnut eagle hunts across a territory far larger than most raptors need, one of the rarest and least-studied large birds of prey anywhere in the Americas.
Overview
The black-and-chestnut eagle, Spizaetus isidori, is an Endangered bird of prey restricted to a narrow band of humid montane cloud forest running the length of the Andes. Its glossy black-and-chestnut plumage, prominent crest, and extremely low population density make it one of the most elusive large eagles found anywhere in South America.
A rare bird in a shrinking habitat
Occurring at very low density even where it is found, the black-and-chestnut eagle depends on large, intact stretches of cloud forest to find enough prey, a requirement increasingly difficult to meet as Andean forest is cleared and fragmented.
Status
Endangered, with a small, declining population scattered thinly across its Andean cloud forest range, threatened primarily by continuing deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
Black-and-chestnut Eagle: common questions
Why is the black-and-chestnut eagle so poorly studied?
It lives at very low density across remote, rugged Andean cloud forest, making it difficult for researchers to locate, track, and study compared to raptors found in more accessible habitat.
What does the black-and-chestnut eagle eat?
It is a carnivore, hunting medium-sized mammals such as mountain viscachas along with birds like guans, caught within the forest canopy.
Why does the black-and-chestnut eagle need such a large territory?
It occurs at extremely low density, so each breeding pair requires a large stretch of intact cloud forest to find enough prey, making it especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.
Where is the black-and-chestnut eagle found?
It is restricted to a narrow band of humid montane cloud forest running the length of the Andes, from Venezuela and Colombia south to Argentina.