Chaco Eagle

About the Chaco Eagle

The Chaco eagle (Buteogallus coronatus) or crowned solitary eagle, is an endangered bird of prey from eastern and central South America. Typically it is known simply as the crowned eagle, which leads to potential confusion with the African Stephanoaetus coronatus. Due to its rarity, not much is known about its biology or population.

The Chaco eagle is a large raptor with a mostly dull and silvery grey body plumage. Its short black tail has a broad white medial band as well as a white tip and both its cere and legs are yellow. As its name indicates, the Crowned Solitary Eagle has a crest of darker grey feathers. The juvenile also has a crest but its colour dark brown, except for it creamy head and underbody which are both have grey streaks. It is one of the largest raptors in the Neotropics and normally weighs around 2.95 kg (6.5 lb). Its total length can reach 73–79 cm (29–31 in) and it has a wingspan of 170–183 cm (5 ft 7 in – 6 ft 0 in).

Buteogallus coronatus is monotypic, with no subspecies. Vieillot first named it Harpyia coronata in 1817. It was subsequently reclassified by Lafresnaye in 1842 in the genus Harpyphaliatus, as Harpyhaliatus coronatus... Wikipedia →