Birds
Black-chested buzzard-eagle
Geranoaetus melanoleucus
A large South American raptor with a bluish-grey chest and broad wings, the black-chested buzzard-eagle rules open skies and mountain slopes. Its scientific name recalls the black-and-white plumage of adults.
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In short
The black-chested buzzard-eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) is a species with IUCN conservation status LC (Least concern). It favours open and semi-arid habitats: high-altitude grassland, Andean slopes, steppe and hill country, where it rides thermals to soar for long spells. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the black-chested buzzard-eagle live?
It favours open and semi-arid habitats: high-altitude grassland, Andean slopes, steppe and hill country, where it rides thermals to soar for long spells. It hunts mammals, birds and reptiles.
Is the black-chested buzzard-eagle endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Least Concern (LC) with a stable population. Locally it suffers persecution, poisoning and collisions, but it remains widespread across a vast range.
Facts about the black-chested buzzard-eagle
- Its bluish-grey chest earned it the name ‘blue eagle’.
- It uses mountain thermals to circle almost without flapping.
- It is an emblem of Andean skies, ranging from Venezuela to Tierra del Fuego.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Geranoaetus melanoleucus (Least Concern) · BirdLife International
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.