Kites, Old World Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks
Harpy Eagle
Harpia harpyja
- 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
- Massive rainforest eagle with a split grey crest
- Black band across a white chest
- Very thick legs and huge talons
Voice
Weak wailing calls.
Where to see it
- Tambopata, Peru
- Iwokrama, Guyana
Destination guides featuring this bird
- JJanuary: Poor or no data
- FFebruary: Good
- MMarch: Good
- AApril: Poor or no data
- MMay: Poor or no data
- JJune: Poor or no data
- JJuly: Poor or no data
- AAugust: Poor or no data
- SSeptember: Best
- OOctober: Best
- NNovember: Best
- DDecember: Poor or no data
- JJanuary: Poor or no data
- FFebruary: Poor or no data
- MMarch: Poor or no data
- AApril: Good
- MMay: Best
- JJune: Best
- JJuly: Best
- AAugust: Best
- SSeptember: Best
- OOctober: Best
- NNovember: Good
- DDecember: Poor or no data
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
- Wikipedia: Harpy eagle
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.

