Details
Harpia harpyja
The harpy eagle is a massive raptor of Central and South American tropical forests. Diurnal pairs hold large forest territories.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses lowland and montane tropical forest and depends on continuous woodland with large trees. Canopy and midstory hunting routes are important.
Wingspan is about 176-224 cm and weight about 4-9 kg. Broad wings, a long tail, crest, and enormous feet and talons are defining features.
Active by day, it moves quietly through forest and waits from perches. It is built more for powerful short flights inside canopy than for open soaring.
It is carnivorous, taking arboreal mammals and birds. Strong feet allow it to seize prey from branches and trunks.
Pairs build large nests in emergent trees and raise young at long intervals. Juveniles remain in the parental territory for an extended time.
Its status is listed as Vulnerable. Forest clearing and loss of large nest trees make connected mature forest essential.
