important for the Chaco eagle since they are used for nesting. Threats The Chaco Eagle is considered endangered. Its population is declining, a trend that is most likely due to human activities. The Chaco Eagle populations are affected by many threats, including habitat degradation, collisions with human structures and persecution. An example of the latter would be in Argentina, where Chaco Eagles are still killed due to the belief that they attack livestock. Between 1999 and 2014, 30 Chaco Eagles were brought to a rehabilitation center after they had been shot to protect livestock. For such a small population, this can have a great impact on the species’ chances at survival. This persecution attracted the attention of conservation groups, which lead to the creation of a national plan of plan of conservation for the Chaco Eagle in Argentina, the only country to do so so far. Another important factor is the electrocution of Chaco Eagles by power poles, which also has a sizeable impact on their populations. This is also a common problem that unfortunately affects many raptors. Behavior Often seen in solitary pairs or small groups of three, the Chaco Eagle is a tame crepuscular species that forages during early hours. Vocalization The Chaco Eagle can be recognized by its very powerful and shrill whistling call that can be heard 2 km away. Diet Chaco Eagles still-hunt from perches. Its diet consists mostly of small to medium size mammals. It primarily preys on armadillos such as pichis (Zaedyus pichiy) and nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) as well as Andes skunks (Conepatus chinga). But other mammals such as rodents, possums, European hares (lepus europaeus), and lesser grisons (Galictis cuja) are also taken. Reptiles such as snakes, tortoises, and lizards also make up a smaller part of their diet. When hunting snakes, the eagles often remove the head first. Singular scales on the eagle’s tarsus protected them from snake bites. Small lizards are caught directly with talons, but large lizards such as red tegus (Salvator rufescens) and Argentine black and white tegus (Tupinambis merianae) are captured by approaching them from the side, grabbing them by the hip with one foot and then by the head with the other, apparently to reduce the risk of being bitten or whipped by the tail. Normally, this raptor kills or hunts its prey, but some individuals have been seen eating dead deer, sheep, armadillos, and roadkill.