Geranoaetus melanoleucus
The Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) is a magnificent and powerful raptor native to South America, instantly recognizable by its striking bicolored plumage. Adults feature glossy dark gray to black upperparts and a contrasting pure white belly and underwing coverts, accentuated by a distinctive short, black, wedge-shaped tail often with a white base. Measuring between 60-80 cm (23.5-31.5 in) in length with an impressive wingspan of 1.4-2.0 m (4.6-6.6 ft) and weighing 2.7...
This raptor primarily inhabits open country, including montane grasslands, high plateaus, coastal cliffs, and semi-arid scrubland, ranging from sea level up to elevations exceeding 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) in the Andes.
Their diet primarily consists of medium-sized mammals such as rodents, rabbits, and armadillos, as well as various birds like partridges, pigeons, and tinamous. They also opportunistically prey on reptiles, large insects, and occasionally carrion.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles are diurnal hunters, spending much of their day soaring effortlessly on thermals, often at considerable heights, searching for prey. Their primary foraging strategy involves high-altitude surveillance followed by a spectacular, rapid stoop to capture unsuspecting vict...
The Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle boasts an extensive range across South America, primarily associated with the Andes mountains. Its distribution spans from northern Venezuela and Colombia, south through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, extending eastward into parts of Paraguay, Urugua...
Least Concern
- The Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle is one of the largest and most powerful raptors in its genus, capable of taking surprisingly large prey. - Its distinctive flight silhouette, with broad wings and a short, wedge-shaped black tail, makes it easily identifiable even at great distances. - Juvenile B...