The Harpy Eagle

The Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja, is one of the most identifiable of birds of prey and not just because of its size. The Harpy Eagle is noted for having slate black feathers on the upper areas of the bird. The underside of the eagle is white, although there is a black band across its chest. The head has a double crest and is pale grey in colour.

The Harpy Eagle can be found from southern Mexico through to Southern Brazil, this range takes in Panama, where the eagle is the national symbol. The Harpy Eagle though is endangered and there is thought to be less than fifty thousand birds in the wild, and as the habitat is threatened so numbers are likely to decrease in forthcoming years.

Harpy Eagle - Michael Schamis - CC-BY-SA-2.0

The Harpy Eagle is generally considered to be the largest of the eagle family, although it does have a rival with the Steller’s Sea Eagle and Phillipine Eagle. The Harpy Eagle can grow up to 100cm in length, with the female being larger than the male, with the female weighing up to 9kg in weigh. The wingspan being up to 200 cm in length may seem long but is relatively short compared to its body length

The wings have adapted to allow for flight at speeds of up to 50mph, although the wings are more adapted to flight through the trees of dense forest. The Harpy Eagle will surprise its prey, swooping down on sloths, monkeys, opossums and small rodents. The size of the Harpy Eagle, and its 13cm talons, does mean that it can pick up prey up to 5kg in weight.

Harpy Eagles will breed in the wild, although many breeding schemes exist in zoos and other conservation organisations. Nests are made from branches and green twigs, and as befits the size of the eagle. The female Harpy Eagle will then lay either one or two eggs, although as with many other raptors the parents are only looking for one offspring, and if the first egg hatches the second will cease to be incubated. The first egg should hatch in eight weeks.

A harpy eagle and a white-headed sea eagle - CC-BY-4.0

Once hatched the parents will then raise it for six months, by which time it should be self-sufficient, and the offspring will stay around for a further six months.

One of the most impressive of birds of prey, the Harpy Eagle is currently under threat and in need of protection.

Copyright - First Published 17th March 2010