The Harpy Eagle, one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, commands respect with its formidable size and strength. This impressive bird boasts a wingspan of up to 7 feet and can weigh between 6 to 9 kilograms (13 to 20 pounds). It is distinguished by its striking black and white plumage, with a dramatic grey head and a broad, muscular chest. The eagle's face features a distinctive black band across the upper part, and its piercing, deep-set eyes add to its intense demeanor.
Found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, the Harpy Eagle prefers vast, undisturbed woodland territories where it can hunt. It preys mainly on tree-dwelling mammals such as sloths and monkeys, demonstrating remarkable hunting skills; its powerful talons are capable of exerting several hundred pounds of pressure, instantly killing its prey.
Due to deforestation and loss of habitat, the Harpy Eagle is now considered near-threatened. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserve the remaining populations, as the presence of this apex predator indicates a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Their role in controlling populations of mesopredators is vital for maintaining the diversity and structure of their habitat.
When a lot of our readers think about eagles, they might be thinking about the iconic and familiar symbol of the United States, the Bald Eagle. Did you know that there are more than 60 recognized species of eagle? This cosmopolitan group of birds is found on every continent except Antarctica. Eagles belong to the taxonomic family Accipitridae, a group of birds of prey that also includes hawks, kites, and harriers. Read more »
Today's new bird in our 17-day-long Birdorable Bonanza is the American Harpy Eagle, a powerful raptor that can be found across Central and South America where it lives in the upper canopy layer of tropical rainforests.... Read more »
Check out these three new Birdorable coloring pages for lots of cute coloring fun! Go to Coloring Pages to download the PDFs. You can visit the meet pages for each bird to check the colors:... Read more »
Today's featured t-shirt is this funny Who are you calling Harpy? design with our Birdorable Harpy Eagle. A Harpy is a mythological Greek winged spirit known for stealing food. The Harpy Eagle is named for this mythological animal, but the word harpy is also used to... Read more »
