Harpy Eagle
VulnerableHarpia harpyja
Visual Identification
Harpy Eagle
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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.
Lifespan
years
The Harpy Eagle typically lives for 25 to 35 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them perched on emergent trees in undisturbed rainforests
- Listen for their distinctive whistle-like call
- Observe for signs of recent kills, as they often return to the same feeding sites
- Use local guides familiar with nesting sites for better chances of sightings
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
American Harpy Eagle, Royal-hawk
Family:
AccipitridaePredators
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.
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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.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Harpia harpyja. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22695998A197957213.
View source - 3
report, 2021: E. Miranda in litt.; A. Monroy-Ojeda in litt.