California, San Diego, Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) perched on a branch, by Greg Vaughn
SAVE THE EAGLES
The Harpy Eagle
Today we have a neotropical beast from the forests of Central and South America; Harpia harpyja. The harpy eagle, also known as the royal hawk in Brazil. With a height up to three and a half feet, a weight of twenty pounds, and a wingspan over seven-and-a-half feet, harpies are among the largest eagles in the world. These rugged raptors pass their days picking sloths and monkeys off tree branches and carrying them home to dinner. They feed on well over a hundred species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and even livestock.
Four month old Harpy eagle chick (Harpia harpyja), testing its wings in the nest, Alta Floresta, Amazon, Brazil, by G&M Therin-Weise
Harpies are agile flyers, capable of taking their kill from above, from below, and from any side. They sink their gargantuan talons into prey and crush the life out.
You would have to see one of these big girls fly away with a goat to truly understand the power of these giant eagles.
Harpy eagle populations have been dwindling in the wild primarily due to hunting and loss of habitat. There are several research and conservation projects in place to help this great raptor survive. It’s important to remember that anything we can do to save the eagles is worth it.
SAVE the EAGLES
