Head to head
Black-and-chestnut Eagle vs Ornate Hawk-eagle
Black-and-chestnut Eagle
VS Ornate Hawk-eagle
Both are crested eagles of the Neotropics capable of taking substantial prey, but they occupy very different forest habitats.
| Black-and-chestnut Eagle | Ornate Hawk-eagle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Spizaetus isidori | Spizaetus ornatus |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Near Threatened |
| Habitat | Andean cloud forest | Lowland Neotropical rainforest |
| Distinguishing feature | Black upperparts, chestnut underparts | Rufous face and neck, black-and-white banding |
| Range | Narrow Andean band, Venezuela to Argentina | Mexico through much of tropical South America |
| Population density | Extremely low, large territories needed | Low, but more widely distributed |
| Primary prey | Mountain viscachas, guans | Birds and mammals up to small monkeys |
| Main threat | Cloud-forest deforestation | Lowland deforestation |
Black-and-chestnut Eagle vs Ornate Hawk-eagle: common questions
Which eagle is more threatened?
The black-and-chestnut eagle is, classified as Endangered due to its extremely narrow Andean cloud-forest range and low population density, compared to the Near Threatened ornate hawk-eagle.
Which eagle has the wider range?
The ornate hawk-eagle does, found across lowland rainforest from Mexico through much of tropical South America, while the black-and-chestnut eagle is confined to a narrow band of Andean cloud forest.
How can you tell these two eagles apart?
The black-and-chestnut eagle shows black upperparts against chestnut underparts, while the ornate hawk-eagle has a distinctive rufous face and neck framing bold black-and-white banded plumage.