The Black-chested buzzard-eagle - also known as the Chilean blue eagle - was a real rare sight about 20 - 30 years ago and I can remember how proud Planckendeal Zoo in Belgium was when they had a partly succes - the chick was not raised - in 1989 ! Now-a-days it is kept in a large number of zoos ( Zootierliste mention 53 collections in Europe keeping it ! ) and I saw it also at Wisbroek Breeding Centrum. I would be intrested to know firstly where all these birds now being kept came from ( wild-catched or captive-bred ) and secondly how the species is doing in the rest of the world ( North America, South-east Asia and so on ). Any information would be much appriciated !
I don't know the origin of the European population, but it's clear that the species is much rarer in captivity in the rest of the world: I found out that ZIMS registers no holders of this species in North America or Asia: only in Europe & South America.
Part of the species' appeal is that it can soar very easily on the slightest air currents or thermals, making it a desirable (and very expensive) bird for falconers. Is falconry a much rarer practice in the US?
Thank you both MikeG and devilfish, this is the information I'm looking for. @ MikeG very strange that such a beautifull bird which is so "commonly" kept in Europe can't be found in any North American collection ! Do you have names of South American collections with this species ?
There was an existing small European population before a reasonable number of birds were imported from wild during late 90s/early 00s. A good number of private breeding collections and bird of prey centres now hold this species. Very few places who have a pair of parent reared birds are likely to struggle breeding this species. The slow expansion might partly be because of those having the first real successes with the species tended to hand rear most of the young making them largely unsuitable for future breeding (except for AI).
Here are the ones I'm aware of: Argentina = Parque De Animales Silvestres Temaikèn Brazil = Sao Paulo [only 1.0 specimen] Chile = Santiago Zoo and Parque Zoológico Buin Colombia = Parque Zoologico Jaime Duque, Bogota; Fundacion Zoologico Santacruz, Bogota; and Cali Zoo.
I have seen the aguila chilena at Buenos Aires zoo - photo on gallery Rio de Janiero zoo Sao Paulo zoo Brasilia zoo - photo on gallery
