Harpy Eagle Bird Facts (Harpia harpyja)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Harpy Eagle is a massive raptor with a distinctive appearance. Its body is covered in slate-gray feathers, contrasting with a white underside. The head features a prominent double crest of feathers that can be raised when alert or excited.

Females are significantly larger than males, sometimes weighing twice as much. Both sexes have powerful yellow legs and large, curved black talons. Juveniles have lighter gray plumage and a white-colored crest.

Size

Length

89cm to 105cm

Wingspan

176cm to 224cm

Weight

4kg to 9kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey White

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Harpy Eagle can be found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Harpy Eagle is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Harpy Eagles inhabit lowland tropical rainforests from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, including the Amazon Basin. They require vast areas of uninterrupted forest with tall emergent trees for nesting and hunting.

They are a key species in Central and South American ecosystems. Their range has contracted significantly due to deforestation, particularly in Central America.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Harpy Eagle. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador French Guiana Guatemala Guyana Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Suriname Venezuela

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Harpy Eagle possesses remarkable agility, particularly in dense forest environments. Its ability to manoeuvre through thick canopy, rotate its head 180 degrees, and execute precise strikes on agile prey like monkeys demonstrates exceptional aerial dexterity.

Strength 95

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

With the largest talons of any eagle and the capacity to carry prey equal to its own body weight (up to 9 kg), the Harpy Eagle exhibits extraordinary strength. Its ability to snatch and transport large mammals like sloths and monkeys underscores its formidable physical power.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

While highly specialised for its rainforest habitat, the Harpy Eagle shows moderate adaptability. Its sedentary nature and specific requirements for vast, undisturbed forests suggest limited flexibility in the face of habitat changes. However, its diverse diet indicates some adaptive capacity.

Aggressiveness 80

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

As an apex predator, the Harpy Eagle displays significant aggression in hunting and territorial defence. Its powerful build and hunting strategy of ambushing large prey point to a high level of predatory aggression. However, it's not noted for unprovoked attacks on humans or excessive aggression outside hunting contexts.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Harpy Eagle's endurance is notable, particularly in its hunting strategy of perching for hours awaiting prey. Its ability to carry heavy prey over distances also suggests good stamina. However, as a 'sit-and-wait' predator rather than a soaring species, its long-distance flight endurance may be relatively lower compared to some other large raptors.

Diet

Harpy Eagles are apex predators that primarily feed on tree-dwelling mammals. Their diet mainly consists of sloths and monkeys, but they also hunt large birds, reptiles, and occasionally small deer.

They use their powerful talons to snatch prey from trees, often carrying animals weighing up to 7 kg, sometimes even 9 kg.

Behaviour

Harpy Eagles are solitary and sedentary, rarely seen soaring above the canopy. They perch for hours, waiting to ambush prey. These eagles are known for their strength, capable of carrying prey equal to their body weight. They are monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds.

Vocalisation

Harpy Eagles are generally silent but can produce a series of loud, penetrating calls during breeding season. Their vocalizations include a high-pitched, whistle-like 'wheeeeee' and a softer 'whuf whuf whuf' sound. These calls often carry long distances through the dense forest canopy.

Nesting & Breeding

Harpy Eagles form monogamous pairs and breed every 2-3 years. They construct massive nests, up to 1.5 meters deep and 2 meters wide, typically in the forest's tallest trees.

The female usually lays two eggs, but only one chick typically survives. The eggs are white and incubated for about 56 days. Both parents participate in incubation and chick-rearing.

The nestling period is exceptionally long, lasting 5-6 months. Young eagles remain dependent on their parents for up to two years, one of the longest dependency periods among birds.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Vulnerable ^[1]

Harpy Eagles face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and human persecution. Conservation efforts focus on protecting large tracts of undisturbed rainforests and educating local communities about their ecological importance. Captive breeding programs also contribute to their conservation.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

100,000 - 250,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

American Harpy Eagle, Royal-hawk

Family:

Accipitridae

Average Lifespan

25 to 35 years

Predators

Adult Harpy Eagles have no natural predators. However, eggs and chicks may be vulnerable to other large birds of prey, snakes, and arboreal mammals.

Did You Know?

Harpy Eagles have the largest talons of any eagle, measuring up to 13 cm long.
They can rotate their heads up to 180 degrees, an adaptation for hunting in dense forests.
The name 'harpy' comes from the harpies of Greek mythology, creatures with the body of an eagle and the face of a human.

FAQs

Is a Harpy Eagle stronger than the Bald Eagle?

Harpy Eagles are much larger than Bald Eagles and far more powerful. Bald Eagles mainly feed on fish and waterbirds, while Harpies tackle much larger animals, including adult monkeys and even young deer!

Is the Harpy Eagle the biggest eagle in the world?

Harpy Eagles are among the three largest surviving eagle species. Only the massive Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) and the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) rival their size.

Are Harpy Eagles aggressive to humans?

Harpy Eagles are not naturally aggressive toward humans, and it’s a good thing because an attack could easily turn deadly. They show little fear for humans, however, leaving them vulnerable to shooting. The only situation where these majestic birds may pose a real threat to an adult human is where their eggs or chicks are threatened.