Harpy Eagle
Harpia harpyja
The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a rare kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 17 countries, weighing about 4.8 kg. The harpy eagle is a large neotropical species of eagle.
About the Harpy Eagle
The harpy eagle is a large neotropical species of eagle. It is also called the American harpy eagle to distinguish it from the Papuan eagle, which is sometimes known as the New Guinea harpy eagle or Papuan harpy eagle. It is the largest bird of prey throughout its range, and among the largest extant species of eagles in the world. It usually inhabits tropical lowland rainforests in the upper (emergent) canopy layer. Destruction of its natural habitat has caused it to vanish from many parts of its former range, and it is nearly extirpated from much of Central America. It is the only member of the genus Harpia, which, together with Harpyopsis, Macheiramphus and Morphnus, forms the subfamily…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The upperside of the harpy eagle is covered with slate-black feathers, and the underside is mostly white, except for the feathered tarsi, which are striped black. A broad black band across the upper breast separates the gray head from the white belly. The head is pale grey, and is crowned with a double crest. The upperside of the tail is black with three gray bands, while the underside of it is black with three white bands. The irises are gray or brown or red, the cere and bill are black or blackish and the tarsi and toes are yellow. The plumage of males and females is identical. Voice: This species is largely silent away from the nest. There, the adults give a penetrating, weak, melancholy scream, with the incubating males' call described as "whispy screaming or wailing". The females' calls while incubating are similar, but are lower-pitched. While approaching the nest with food, the male calls out "rapid chirps, goose-like calls, and occasional sharp screams".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala.
When to see it
The Harpy Eagle can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Harpy Eagle?
- The upperside of the harpy eagle is covered with slate-black feathers, and the underside is mostly white, except for the feathered tarsi, which are striped black. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Harpy Eagle?
- The Harpy Eagle is a huge sized bird weighing about 4.8 kg.
- Where can you see a Harpy Eagle?
- The Harpy Eagle occurs in 17 countries, including Panama, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
- What birds look similar to a Harpy Eagle?
- The Harpy Eagle is most easily confused with the White-throated Hawk, the Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk and the Rufous-thighed Kite.
- Is the Harpy Eagle endangered?
- The Harpy Eagle is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Harpy Eagle for real
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