HARPY EAGLE Harpia harpyja

Harpy Eagles are considered to be one of the world’s largest eagles. This eagle has hind talons that can be as large as those of a grizzly bear. However, it can only fly with prey weighing less than one half its own body weight.

The scientific and common names of this species come from the Greek word, harpe, referring to a bird of prey that was written about by many Greek scholars, and may also be correlated with the mythological harpies who were winged creatures with extremely sharp claws, a woman’s face, and a vulture’s body. These birds are found from southeastern Mexico to northern Argentina and Southern Brazil. This bird prefers large expanses of uninterrupted forest, but will hunt in open areas near to their territory. They feed primarily on animals that live in the trees, such as sloth, monkeys, opossums, as well as various reptiles and other birds. Harpy Eagles are highly maneuverable fliers and strike their prey after rapid pursuit through the forest canopy. Harpy Eagles Build extremely large nests of sticks and branches in the tallest, or emergent, trees in their territory. Female Harpy Eagles lay 1- 2 eggs every 2 -3 years. When the first egg hatches 53 ­ 58 days later, the other egg is usually ignored and does not hatch. The new chick will fledge from 4_ to 6 months of age, but the young bird will stay in and around the parent’s territory for at least a year.

KEY FACTS SIZE 35 ­ 41 inches tall WING SPAN: 6 - 7ft. RANGE: Southern Mexico all the way down into Northern Argentina and Southern Brazil HABITAT: Tropical lowland forests FOOD: Sloth, Monkeys, opossums, as well as various reptiles and other birds.