Fun Crowned Solitary Eagle Facts For Kids
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Are you fascinated by the world of raptors like the eagle? If yes, then you are in for a treat!
Today, we will have a look at one of the most majestic birds of prey hailing from southern America. The crowned solitary eagle (Buteogallus coronatus) is also known as the Chaco eagle, but did you know that this bird isn't related to the African variant of the crowned eagle?
A very small population of this threatened species lives in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia and the birds in Brazil and Argentina have especially been crucial for studying this species. The crowned eagle gets its name from the crown-like feathers present on its head.
Don't be fooled by the silvery charm of this bird, as it is an exceptional hunter that is mainly active during the twilight, making it semi-crepuscular.
A crucial time in the life of these birds is the breeding season, as this is a monogamous species. Most birds will only lay one egg, and their nest is usually made high up in the trees.
The male takes care of feeding the chick as well as collecting food for the female bird during this breeding season.
Unfortunately, the population of these beautiful birds has declined drastically, and it is only found in some parts of South America, like in the eastern or central regions, today. One of the main threats to this species is human activities, including cutting down forests and trees.
Want to know more about the bird? Keep reading to learn more crowned solitary eagle facts! Also, don't forget to search for the griffon vulture and the Hawaiian hawk.
Crowned Solitary Eagle Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a crowned solitary eagle?
This crowned eagle is also known as the Chaco eagle and is a bird of prey.
What class of animal does a crowned solitary eagle belong to?
Crowned solitary eagles belong to the class Aves and the genus Buteogallus.
How many crowned solitary eagles are there in the world?
One of the most sad facts about this endangered species is in regards to its population. According to the latest studies, only 250-999 mature individuals are present in the wild.
When being a more little more flexible with the data, only 350-1,500 individuals appear to be alive. There are several reasons why the species is threatened in its native habitat but human expansion into the forest has been the central cause of the decline in the population of the solitary crowned eagle.
Where does a crowned solitary eagle live?
This raptor is mainly found in eastern and central parts of South America. This includes central Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia as these places provide the best living conditions and enough warmth for these birds. In the southern part of its distribution, the bird prefers to have tall trees to roost and build nests in.
What is a crowned solitary eagle's habitat?
The Chaco eagle prefers to live in open grasslands of South America including open mixed grasslands, savannahs, open woodlands, and marshes.
Who do crowned solitary eagles live with?
By the name we know that the crowned solitary eagles search for food alone. Most hawks and eagles do actually lead a solitary life. You can only see these birds together during the breeding season.
How long does a crowned solitary eagle live?
There is very little data about the lifespan of the Chaco eagle, but the African crowned eagle lives for about 14 years. So, we can assume that this South American species will have a similar lifespan.
How do they reproduce?
The Chaco eagle is a monogamous raptor that mates for life. The breeding season is usually during August and October.
A crowned solitary eagle female usually lays one egg, and this crowned solitary eagle egg has gray spots. Like most other eagle and hawk species, the Chaco eagle also makes its nest on a high platform with the help of sticks.
A tall tree can also be a great spot to protect its nest. The nest is usually made 42 ft (12.8 m) above the ground, and it takes around 45 days for the egg to hatch. The female is usually in charge of incubation in the nest, while the male searches for food.
Once hatched, the chick will remain in the nest for 65-70 days. However, the juvenile will still stick near its parents for a while before it completely learns its hunting and survival skills.
What is their conservation status?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the crowned eagle or the Chaco eagle is currently listed as an Endangered species.
Crowned Solitary Eagle Fun Facts
What do crowned solitary eagles look like?
These crowned eagles are one of the largest raptors of the world, present in the Neotropics. However, rather than by its size, you can identify it by its beautiful silver-gray plumage that covers most of its body, especially the wings and back.
The belly is covered with fluffier buff-colored feathers. There is a sheen to these crowned solitary eagle feathers, which makes the bird look majestic.
Other than that, their wings are covered in brown or dark gray feathers.
Another key point of the typical crowned solitary eagle appearance is its crown which is said to be a crest of dark gray feathers. This raptor has a small rounded tail that has a white band in the middle as well as a white tip at its end.
It is often said to have a similar look to the great black hawk, but both birds aren't related, and the hawk is smaller compared to the Chaco eagle.
*Please note that this is an image of an Indian black eagle, not a crowned solitary eagle. If you have an image of a crowned solitary eagle please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.
How cute are they?
Even though this is a bird of prey that is adept at hunting, we cannot just pass on its beautiful gray appearance. Super cute!
How do they communicate?
Just like other eagles, vocal communication is important for this semi-crepuscular species. The most common sound is a shrill whistle produced by both sexes. However, juvenile birds have a raspier voice.
How big is a crowned solitary eagle?
The average body size range of the crowned eagle is around 28.7-33.4 in (73-85 cm). In comparison, the tawny eagle has an average body length of 24-28 in (62-72 cm).
How fast can a crowned solitary eagle fly?
Even though we do not have the exact flying speed data of this southern American bird, we can assume that it matches the average flying speed of eagles: between 28-32 mph (45-51.4 kph).
How much does a crowned solitary eagle weigh?
The average weight range of the crowned solitary eagle is around 4.4-6.6 lb (2-3 kg).
What are their male and female names of the species?
There are no specific names for male and female birds of this southern American bird species.
What would you call a baby crowned solitary eagle?
A baby crowned solitary eagle is called an eaglet or a chick. These young birds have a lot more brown feathers compared to adults, who have only a few brown feathers.
What do they eat?
When it comes to powerful birds like eagles, one of the most interesting aspects of the species is their diet. Like most other predator birds, crowned solitary eagles are great at hunting and love to feed on small animals like mammals.
Armadillos and skunks take up the most space in their diet and hunting patterns, but these birds also like to eat rodents like possums.
Reptiles might also be included in the diet of these raptors. The hunting style followed by the Chaco eagle is called still-hunt.
So, the bird observes its prey from a perch before it seeks the opportunity to jump on it before feeding. Only a handful of times will these birds feed on other birds or rely on carcasses. Only in dire times do these birds prey on livestock.
Are they poisonous?
No, crowned solitary eagles are not poisonous in nature. However, as they belong to the birds of prey family, you need to be very careful about being close to these birds. This bird species has sharp talons and beaks that can easily break human skin.
Would they make a good pet?
Their dwindling population won't let this happen as these crowned eagles are well protected by BirdLife International and other regulatory bodies.
Did you know...
Their hunting behavior, makes this species a semi-crepuscular bird. It is most active during the twilight, but it may hunt even during the daytime.
The legs and eyes of the Chaco eagle are yellow.
The species' former binomial name was Harpyhaliaetus coronatus.
Do crowned solitary eagles migrate?
No, this crowned eagle or Chaco eagle is not a migratory species.
Are crowned solitary eagles endangered?
Yes, the crowned solitary eagle is currently classified as an Endangered species. One of the main threats to the dwindling population of these birds is habitat destruction. Human activities in the crowned solitary eagle range have driven these animals to become almost obsolete.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our saker falcon facts and Andean condor facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable crowned solitary eagle coloring pages.
*Please note that the main image is of a crowned eagle, not a crowned solitary eagle. If you have an image of a crowned solitary eagle, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
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