What species is closely related to the harpy eagle?
crested eagle
The harpy eagle is most closely related to the crested eagle (Morphnus guianesis) and the New Guinea harpy eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae). The harpy eagle is Panama’s national bird. Its talons can be as large as the claws of a grizzly bear.
How is the harpy eagle related to the crested eagle?
The only member of the genus Harpia, the harpy eagle is most closely related to the crested eagle (Morphnus guianensis) and the New Guinea harpy eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae), the three composing the subfamily Harpiinae within the large family Accipitridae.
Where are harpy eagles found in the world?
The Harpy eagle used to be found throughout Mexico, Central America and South America, but now due to declining numbers, they are rarely found in this range and are most commonly located in Brazil. The Harpy eagle habitat is tropical lowland rainforests.
What kind of animals do harpy eagles prey on?
Harpy eagles prey on many species throughout the jungle, but studies have shown that they prefer large mammals like sloths and monkeys that frequent the upper canopy of the rain forest. Since the harpy eagle is an extremely agile flyer, they can easily sneak up on capuchin monkeys and sloths that are browsing in the canopy.
What kind of talons does a harpy eagle have?
A harpy eagle has the largest talons of any eagle species. Harpy eagles have the largest talons or claws of any living eagle. With these sharp talons, they can lift prey weighing more than or equal to their body weight. Female harpy eagles are the ones who take on the heavier prey.
The only member of the genus Harpia, the harpy eagle is most closely related to the crested eagle (Morphnus guianensis) and the New Guinea harpy eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae), the three composing the subfamily Harpiinae within the large family Accipitridae.
How big does a female harpy eagle get?
Family: Accipitridae. Genus: Harpia. Species: Harpia harpyja. Size and Weight: The harpy is one of the largest species of eagle. As is often the case with birds of prey, females are larger than males. The birds can grow to 36-40 inches.
What kind of animals do harpy eagles eat?
The diet of harpy eagles consists mainly of tree-dwelling animals such monkeys (including squirrel monkeys and pygmy marmosets), sloths, opossums, iguanas, and snakes. They will also eat large birds like curassows and macaws, including the magnificent scarlet macaw.
The birds were once found from southern Mexico through Central and South America, but sadly, they have been extirpated from many areas where they once occurred. “I have spoken with hunters who have killed Harpy Eagles out of curiosity,” commented Bennett Hennessey, who directs ABC’s Brazil Conservation Program.