Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

[order] ACCIPITRIFORMES | [family] Accipitridae | [latin] Harpia harpyja | [authority] Linnaeus, 1758 | [UK] Harpy Eagle | [FR] Harpie feroce | [DE] Harpyie | [ES] Arpia Mayor | [NL] Harpij

Subspecies

Genus

Physical charateristics

The Harpy eagle has a two meter wingspan; body length to one meter. Harpies are black above with white undersides, except for a black chest band. Females are one-third larger than males. Both sexes have a crest of large feathers on their heads, which they raise when they hear noise. Like owls, harpies have a facial disk of smaller feathers, which may focus sound waves to sharpen hearing. Harpies are tremendously successful predators with talons longer than those of a grizzly bear.

Listen to the sound of Harpy Eagle

[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/ACCIPITRIFORMES/Accipitridae/sounds/Harpy Eagle.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

Range

Latin America : South Mexico to Northeast Argentina

Habitat

Harpy Eagles are found in tropical lowland forests from southeastern Mexico to northern Argentina and southern Brazil. This bird prefers large expanses of uninterrupted forest, but will hunt in open areas adjacent to forest patches.

Reproduction

Harpy Eagles mate for life; they build a large nest made of sticks and twigs. Harpies care for their nest by renewing the nest material. This behavior apparently reduces the number of parasites and/or keeps the young cool. Nests are usually located very high (often over 40 m) in trees or on cliffs. Females lay 1-2 eggs in each clutch, but only one survives, the last egg is ignored and does not hatch. The incubation period is about 53 to 56 days. Both parents care for the young. The young fladge after 4 to 6 months. Chicks are fed for ten months or more, requiring a long dependency. Adults raise only one chick every two or three years. Sexual maturity is at four or five years and the chick may return to the nest in the tree in which it was born.

Feeding habits

Eagles are carnivores; they hunt and scavenge during the day (they are diurnal). Harpies eat sloths, monkeys, opossums, large reptiles (like iguanas), large rodents, and other birds. The eagle dives down onto its prey and catches it with outstretched, clawed feet.

Video Harpy Eagle

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_0csPUrPok

copyright: youtube

Conservation

This species is classified as Near Threatened because it is suspected to be declining moderately rapidly owing to hunting and habitat loss.
Ranges from Central America to northern Argentina. Failry common in the interior of Suriname.

Migration

Presumed sedentary, some populations in Argentina may migrate.

Distribution map

Literature

Title A sight record of the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) in Chiapas, Mexico

Author(s): Jos Eduardo Morales-Prez

Abstract: I recorded a Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) while co..[more]..

Source: ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL 9: 225-226

Title Nesting of the Harpy Eagle (Thrasaetus
harphyia)

Author(s): Bond, J.

Abstract: One of the most interesting results of an expediti..[more]..

Source: The Auk 44(4):562-563

Title FORAGING ECOLOGY OF REINTRODUCED CAPTIVE-BRED
SUBADULT HARPY EAGLES (HARPIA HARPYJA) ON BARRO
COLORADO ISLAND, PANAMA

Author(s): Janeene M. Touchton, Yu-Cheng Hsu, & Alberto Palleroni

Abstract: A male and female Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), bo..[more]..

Source: ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL 13: 365-379, 2002