Harpy Eagle

Harpy EagleScientific name:Harpia harpyja- Largest eagle in the Americas; lives only in Central and South America. Considered world's most powerful raptor. - Females 2x larger than males - 1 metre (3.3 ft.) tall and wingspans up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft.); weigh 9kg (20 lbs.). - Excellent hunters by sight and sound; eat mostly sloths and monkeys. - Threatened by loss of habitat due to deforestation. The Harpy Eagle is the largest eagle in the Americas and one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world. With their unusual crest of head feathers, they resemble Harpies, the half woman, half vulture creatures of ancient Greek mythology. Along with hawks and kites, the Harpy Eagle is a member of the Family Accipitridae. The group comprises a very wide variety of species that live in nearly all habitat types and continents.Physical DescriptionFemale Harpies are often twice as large as males and can grow up to 1 metre (3.3 ft.) tall, have wingspans up to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft.), and may weigh 9 kilos (20 lbs.). Their legs are as thick as the wrist of a small child and armed with talons longer than the claws of the massive brown bear (Ursus arctos).HabitatHarpy Eagles live in scattered virgin forests, far from human habitation, through much of Central and South America. They nest about 40 metres (131 ft.) up in massive silk-cotton trees, and like many other eagles, use sticks for nesting material.DietThese massive hunters search the canopies of undisturbed lowland tropical rain forest looking for their usual prey of sloths and monkeys or other large arboreal animals. They have enhanced hearing and acute vision; they can spot a 2 centimetre object from 200 metres (219 yds.) away. However, their sense of taste and smell are poorly developed.Family Life Harpy Eagles mate for life and produce offspring every 2-3 years. Both parents incubate the one or two eggs; although in a pair, only the first chick survives. Both parents feed the eaglet for about six months, while the male does the majority of hunting.