Harpy+Eagle

// Harpia harpyja //



Did you know that a Harpy Eagle’s wingspan is about half the size of an average human? The Harpy Eagle can usually be found in Central America, and in Northern South America. They eat small mammals that live in trees like possums, sloths, and monkeys.

The Harpy Eagle or //Harpia harpyja// comes from Central and Northern South America. It is also the national bird of Panama. The Harpy’s natural habitat is that of the forests, staying close to the equators tropical conditions. The Harpy can eat a variety of foods in and out of the wild. In the wild, the eagle can eat small tree living mammals like possums, sloths, and monkeys. In captivity, it will eat raw ground beef, small rodents, and rabbits. The Harpy Eagle’s back is covered with jet black feathers while the underside is covered with white. A black band runs across the chest up to the neck. With a pale gray head and crowned with a double crest, the Harpy can have a menacing look. Out of the fifty species or eagles, the Harpy is one of the largest, growing to be as large as 36 to 40 inches in length. It can weigh up to 20 lbs. and reach speeds of up to 50 mph while in flight. Being relatively half the size of an average human, the Harpy is a formidable hunter. Due to living in the forests the Harpy has relatively short wings, but accounting for its size, the wing span can reach over six feet. With enormous claws and maneuverability, the Harpy Eagle is a dangerous bird of prey.

The Harpy Eagle has many defining characteristics that classify it as a bird. First, the eagle has hollow bones. This makes the bird lighter so it can fly with less effort. Next, birds lay hard-shelled eggs. They do this to protect their babies from other predators. A third characteristic is that birds are warm-blooded. This means that they have a constant body temperature. Finally, a major and obvious characteristic of birds is that they have feathers. Feathers are lighter than fur so it is easier for the birds to fly.

Austin Goncz, Ricky Welte, Jessie Keenan