# Harpy Eagle (*Harpia harpyja*) The Harpy Eagle is a majestic bird with huge claws and a crown of feathers on its head. It soars high in the sky and hunts for food in the treetops of the rainforest. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Rainforest - **Also known as:** American Harpy Eagle, Great Harpy Eagle ![Harpy Eagle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426309/objects/6149.jpg) ## Appearance The Harpy Eagle has a striking slate-grey head with a distinctive double crest that can be raised, black upperparts, and a pure white belly. A broad black band crosses its chest, making it easily distinguishable among large raptors. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Harpia ## Interesting facts - Female Harpy Eagles are often much bigger and stronger than the males! - Its amazing crest feathers can stand straight up, making its head look even bigger! - The Harpy Eagle is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world! - They are the national bird of Panama, symbolizing power and freedom! ## Special abilities - **Grip of Steel:** Harpy Eagles have massive, powerful talons that help them snatch large prey from dense tree canopies. - **Jungle Scope:** Harpy Eagles possess incredible vision, allowing them to spot camouflaged prey deep within the rainforest from high above. - **Stealth Glider:** Harpy Eagles have soft wing feathers that enable incredibly quiet flight, helping them surprise unsuspecting animals. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 86-107 cm - **Wingspan:** 176-224 cm - **Weight:** 3.8-9 kg - **Lifespan:** 25-35 years - **Speed:** 80 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 53-56 days ## Diet & Feeding A top predator, Harpy Eagles mainly hunt large mammals and birds in the rainforest canopy. - **Primary Foods:** Sloths, Monkeys, Possums, Kinkajous, Coatis - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Brown-throated Sloth (*Bradypus variegatus*) — Main prey, snatched from tree branches. - **Hunts:** Mantled Howler Monkey (*Alouatta palliata*) — Significant prey caught within the forest canopy. - **Shelter:** Kapok Tree (*Ceiba pentandra*) — Builds massive nests in emergent, tall kapok trees. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Admire these eagles from a safe distance and never disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Harpy Eagle? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Harpy Eagle? 86-107 cm ### What is Harpy Eagle's wingspan? 176-224 cm ### How much does Harpy Eagle weigh? 3.8-9 kg ### How long does Harpy Eagle live? 25-35 years ### How fast can Harpy Eagle move? 80 km/h ### What does Harpy Eagle eat? A top predator, Harpy Eagles mainly hunt large mammals and birds in the rainforest canopy. ### Where is Harpy Eagle usually found? Rainforest ## Where to spot - [Dallas World Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dallas-world-aquarium) — Texas, US · Aquarium - [Los Angeles Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/los-angeles-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Zoo Miami](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-miami) — Florida, US · Zoo - [National Aviary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-aviary) — Pennsylvania, US · Zoo - [Amazônia National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amazonia-national-park) — BR · Park - [Descobrimento National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/descobrimento-national-park) — BR · Park [View all places to see Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/harpy-eagle) ## Watch - [Play video: Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/videos/harpy-eagle) - [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/published_manually) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Harpy Eagle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harpy-eagle)