Harpy eagle

The world’s most spectacular and most robust eagle species serves a critical ecological role in the ecosystem they live in

Jitze Couperus


Harpy eagle

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

The world’s most spectacular and most robust eagle species serves a critical ecological role in the ecosystem they live in

Population 250,000
50% estimated decline over the next 3 generations

Harpy Eagle, one of the largest and most powerful raptor species in the world, is an apex predator in the rainforest ecosystems it inhabits. This majestic bird exhibits a dark gray coloration on its upper parts and a contrasting lighter coloration below, which includes a striking dark band across its upper breast. These colors not only provide it with a degree of camouflage within the forest canopy but also signify its maturity, as younger eagles have different coloration patterns.

Harpy Eagles have evolved to be master hunters within their domain, the dense tropical forests of Central and South America. Unlike many raptors that soar high in search of prey, Harpy Eagles fly beneath the canopy level, utilizing bursts of speed and agility to navigate through the trees. Their wings are shorter and broader compared to other eagles, an adaptation that allows for better maneuverability in the thick forest.

Their prey includes a variety of tree-dwelling mammals, with a particular preference for monkeys and sloths. The eagle’s formidable talons are the largest of any living eagle and are capable of exerting enough pressure to crush the bones of its prey, providing a swift and decisive kill.

The Harpy Eagle is a non-migratory bird, requiring vast tracts of undisturbed forest to support its territorial and hunting needs. A breeding pair of Harpy Eagles demands several square kilometers of forest, a habitat that is unfortunately dwindling due to deforestation. Their need for large territories is also linked to their reproductive strategy. They reproduce slowly; a female typically lays only one egg every two to three years.

This bird’s long rearing period and large territory requirement make it particularly vulnerable to human-induced changes in the environment. Logging, deforestation for agriculture, and the destruction of nesting sites have led to the Harpy Eagle being extirpated from much of its historic range. Additionally, they are sometimes poached, either for trade or by locals who see them as a threat to livestock.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Argentina
2021
Belize
2021
Bolivia
2021
Brazil
2021
Colombia
2021
Costa Rica
2021
Ecuador
2021
El Salvador
0
Official estimate
EX
2021
Extinct locally
French Guiana
2021
Guatemala
2021
Guyana
2021
Honduras
2021
Mexico
2021
Nicaragua
2021
Panama
2021
Paraguay
2021
Peru
2021
Suriname
2021
Venezuela
2021

Anything we've missed?

Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

Suggest an edit

Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No