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Harpy Eagles are found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, including countries such as Brazil, Venezuela and Panama.
One of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, these majestic birds are known for their striking appearance, showing off a distinctive crest of feathers on their heads that can be raised or lowered as well as a double band of feathers around the neck, giving the appearance of a collar. They prefer tall mature forest with open canopies for habitation.
Get To Know The Harpy Eagle
Size: An Adult Harpy Eagles can have a wingspan of up to 7 feet (over 2 meters) and can weigh between 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kilograms).
Diet: Harpy Eagles are apex predators and mainly feed on tree-dwelling mammals such as sloths, monkeys and opossums. They are known for their powerful talons, which can be as large as the claws of a grizzly bear, enabling them to snatch prey from the treetops.
Reproduction: Harpy Eagles are monogamous and mate for life. They typically lay one or two eggs in a large nest made of sticks high up in the canopy. The female is responsible for most of the incubation and care of the chicks.
Threats: Harpy Eagles are considered near-threatened1 due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as hunting. They are also vulnerable to disturbance and pollution.
Interesting Facts About The Harpy Eagle:
The legs of a Harpy Eagle are as thick as a small child’s wrist, and their talons can be as long as 5 inches (13 cm) – larger than a grizzly bear’s claws!
They have a special feature called a “double-jointed” ankle that allows them to rotate their talons to grab prey from different angles.
Harpy Eagles have been known to snatch young deer and other large prey, even adult howler monkeys, which can weigh as much as the eagle itself.
Harpy Eagles are a fascinating and majestic birds that play a crucial role in their ecosystems as top predators.
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The Harpy Eagle made the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in the year 2021
- According to the IUCN database, the Harpy Eagle is suspected to be declining rapidly owing to forest loss and degradation, hunting and persecution. ↩︎
By raising awareness about the vulnerability of the Harpy Eagle and supporting Harpy Eagle conservation efforts in their habitat countries, we can help to ensure the survival of this magnificent bird for years to come.
