From Opus

Milvago chimango

Photo by ibera
Location: Esteros del Ibera, Argentina.

[edit] Identification

37cm. It can be identified in flight by its pale rump and the distinctive pale "windows" on the wings. It has a yellowish bill and some pinkish bare facial skin.

[edit] Distribution

South America: breeds from Paraguay, Uruguay and the far south of Brazil south to Tierra del Fuego. Southernmost breeders are migratory and move north to about 250S in the southern winter. Recorded as a vagrant in the Falkland Islands. It is the commonest raptor in its area.

[edit] Taxonomy

Three subspecies are recognised: chimango is found from Paraguay to southern Argentina, the darker temucoensis in southern Chile and the large fuegensis in Tierra del Fuego.

[edit] Habitat

Open country, most common on the pampas of southern Argentina. Sometimes follows ploughs on cultivated land.

[edit] Behaviour

Usually seen by the side of the roads eating carrion, but it also feeds a wide variety of small wild prey including frogs. Call is a loud "ieeeee".

[edit] External Links