The **Poma eagle**, considered the largest bird of prey in **Argentina**, is at the center of an investigation in **[Jujuy](https://noticiasambientales.com/turismo/salinas-grandes-de-jujuy-un-desierto-blanco-que-combina-paisaje-cultura-y-turismo-responsable/)** that seeks to ensure its conservation. Declared in 2024 as a “natural monument” of the province, this species faces multiple threats, including hunting by rural producers who see it as a risk to their chickens.
Scientific monitoring, led by a team of researchers from the **[National University of Jujuy](https://www.unju.edu.ar/)** and **Conicet**, is carried out using camera traps and satellite trackers. Thanks to these tools, nests have been identified, their diet recorded, and the movements of juveniles along the **Yungas** and up to Tucumán have been tracked.
The work has revealed that in Argentina, the species is present in **Tiraxi, Ocloyas, Tilquiza, Los Paños, Calilegua**, and even in the mountain range of **Los Perales**, near the provincial capital. These records are essential for designing conservation policies that prevent the decline of its population, estimated at just a thousand mature individuals throughout **South America**.
However, one of the main challenges continues to be the conflict with rural communities. Chicks and juveniles, in the learning stage, often attack chickens as they find them easier prey than **wild animals**. This generates tensions that, in some cases, end in the **illegal hunting** of specimens.
## A species that dominates the skies of the Yungas
The Poma eagle is a true symbol of power in the **mountain jungles**. Standing at around 80 centimeters tall, with black plumage, chestnut belly, and a distinctive crest on its head, it is known as the “jaguar of the air” for its magnificence. Its silhouette soaring over the forest conveys the magnitude of a top predator.
Its diet, previously associated exclusively with birds, has proven to be more varied than expected. Recent studies have recorded the **predation of squirrels, rodents, and other mammal species**, expanding knowledge about its **ecological role**. By controlling populations of small animals, it plays a key role in the **ecosystem balance**.
The reproductive cycle of the Poma eagle is also being studied in detail. Camera traps have allowed the observation of parental care behaviors, egg quantities, and breeding success rates of chicks. Some years have seen births in all **monitored nests**, while in other seasons, there have been losses, largely due to **egg predation** by magpies or other opportunistic birds.
The recognition as a “natural monument” in Jujuy represents an important step towards its protection, but it does not guarantee its survival on its own. Strengthening **environmental education** in rural communities is needed, along with designing strategies to reduce chicken attacks and promoting alternatives that prevent reprisals against this majestic bird.
## Characteristics of the Poma eagle
The **Poma eagle** (Spizaetus isidori) is considered the largest bird of prey in South America and one of the most threatened. Its size, powerful vision, and hunting ability make it a top species in the **food chain**. It can reach up to two meters of wingspan, and its majestic flight allows it to cover long distances in search of food.
Its preferred habitat is the **[Yungas](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/una-nueva-especie-exclusiva-fue-descubierta-en-las-yungas-del-parque-nacional-aconquija/)** and mountain jungles, spaces with an **abundance of prey** and **vegetative cover**. There, it builds its nests in tall trees and maintains extensive territories shared with very few individuals, explaining the low population density.
Culturally, it has historically been recognized by Andean communities as a **sacred animal and a symbol of strength**. Its role as a natural regulator of **animal populations** and its identity value make its conservation crucial for both **biodiversity** and the cultural heritage of the region.
The conservation of the Poma eagle is not just the defense of an endangered species; it is also the protection of **mountain forests** and the entire life network that depends on them. Ensuring its presence in the skies of the Yungas means keeping alive the ecological and cultural identity of northern Argentina.
