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Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 23:58, 12 February 2010 by Deliatodd-18346 (talk | contribs) (Attempt to disguise some of the copied text. Distribution expanded. References)
Photo by Fritz73
Alumine, Neuquen, Argentina, Jannuary 2004
Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Identification

62-80cm. Female larger

  • White underparts with fine blackish stripes
  • Dark grey upperparts with a blackish, brownish or bluish hue
  • Dark breast
  • Ash-grey and white area on wings
  • Short black tail

Female: rufous tint to both the upper and underwing secondaries
Immature: deep brown upperparts, lacks light wing patch; white or light buff underparts, heavy dark streaks on breast, dark bars on belly and thighs. Full adult plumage is acquired at 4-5 years old.

Distribution

South America: found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina

Taxonomy

Subspecies[1]

There are 2 subspecies:

  • G. m. australis: smaller, white with fine dark barring below
  • Andes of western Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego
  • G. m. melanoleucus:

Habitat

A variety of habitats, in open and mountainous areas.

Behaviour

Diet

The diet includes mid-sized mammals and birds.

Breeding

The large stick nest is constructed in high trees or on rocky cliffs. The clutch of 1-3 eggs is incubated for 28 days.

References

  1. Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
  2. Avibase
  3. AvianWeb
  4. BF Member observations

Recommended Citation

External Links

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