Solitary eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Solitary eagle |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Buteogallus
|
| Species: |
solitarius
|
| Subspecies | |
|
|
 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Harpyhaliaetus solitarius |
|
The solitary eagle is a large bird of prey. It lives in the Americas, from Mexico down to South America. People sometimes call it the black solitary eagle or montane solitary eagle. Its scientific name is Buteogallus solitarius.
Contents
Where Solitary Eagles Live
This eagle makes its home in Mexico, Central America, and South America. You can find it in forests that are on mountains or hills. These areas are usually high up, between 600 and 2,200 meters (about 2,000 to 7,200 feet) above sea level.
Sometimes, people think they see solitary eagles in lower areas. But these are usually other types of hawks, like the common black hawk. Experts have not confirmed any sightings of solitary eagles in lowlands.
This eagle is quite rare, and scientists don't know much about it.
What Solitary Eagles Eat
We don't know a lot about what the solitary eagle eats. But it seems to hunt large snakes often. There was one time when two adult eagles were seen hunting young deer. Also, parts of a chachalaca (a type of bird) were found in one of their nests.
What Solitary Eagles Look Like
Adult solitary eagles are dark gray, almost black. They have white marks on their tail feathers. These eagles are big, measuring about 63 to 79 centimeters (25 to 31 inches) long. Their wings can spread out very wide, from 152 to 188 centimeters (5 to 6 feet).
They weigh about 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). This makes them one of the largest birds in their group, similar in size to the Chaco eagle. The solitary eagle looks a lot like the common black hawk. However, the solitary eagle is much bigger. It also has very wide wings that reach almost to the end of its tail. These super wide wings are a key way to tell them apart. The eagle also looks quite strong and bulky.
Young Solitary Eagles
Young solitary eagles look a bit different from the adults. They have brown and tan spots and marks around their eyes. Other than these spots, they look similar to the grown-up eagles.
Eagle Family Tree
Scientists have studied the DNA of the solitary eagle. These studies show that the solitary eagle is closely related to the black-hawks. They are like cousins in the bird world.
See Also
In Spanish: Águila solitaria para niños
