Harpy Eagle
Photo: http://www.birdphotos.com · CC BY 3.0

Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks

Harpy Eagle

Harpia harpyja

VUVulnerable
Length
89–105 cm
Family
Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks (Accipitridae)
Order
Accipitriformes

Overview

The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a large neotropical species of eagle. It is also called the American harpy eagle to distinguish it from the Papuan eagle, which is sometimes known as the New Guinea harpy eagle or Papuan harpy eagle. It is the largest bird of prey throughout its range, and among the largest extant species of eagles in the world. It usually inhabits tropical lowland rainforests in the upper (emergent) canopy layer. Destruction of its natural habitat has caused it to vanish from many parts of its former range, and it is nearly extirpated from much of Central America.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Diet: Mainly sloths and monkeys taken in the canopy.

How to identify it

  1. Massive rainforest eagle with a split grey crest
  2. Black band across a white chest
  3. Very thick legs and huge talons

Voice

Weak wailing calls.

Listen to recordings on xeno-canto

Where to see it

  • Tambopata, Peru
  • Iwokrama, Guyana

Destination guides featuring this bird

Similar species

Crested Eagle
slimmer with a single-pointed crest

Range and habitat

Forest of Central America to northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil.

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.