Black-and-chestnut Eagle

About the Black-and-chestnut Eagle

The black-and-chestnut eagle (Spizaetus isidori), also known as Isidor's eagle, is a large South American species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is often placed in the monotypic genus Oroaetus. However, recent genetic testing indicates that this species is fairly closely related to Spizaetus species and thus the species should be included in that genus. The black-and-chestnut eagle is a typical forest raptor, hunting primarily small to medium-sized mammals and birds and constructing a large nest in a tall tree. Unfortunately, the twin causes of habitat destruction and persecution have caused population declines and the black-and-chestnut eagle is considered to be an Endangered species by the IUCN.

Its scientific name was chosen in honour of French zoologist, Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. It is found in humid montane forests, normally at elevations between 1,800 to 2,500 m (5,900 to 8,200 ft), in the Andes from northern Argentina, through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, to Venezuela, with isolated populations in the Venezuelan Coastal Range, Serranía del Perijá and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is generally local and rare... Wikipedia →