The Harpy eagle

The Harpy eagle

The Harpy eagle is also called the Amazon Harpy eagle or the Royal-Hawk. It is the largest and most powerful eagle found in the rain forest. The eagle can live up to 25 to 35 years. The upper half of the harpy eagle's body is covered with slate-black feathers while the underside is mostly white. A broad black band across the upper breast separates the grey head from the white belly. The head is pale grey and is crowned with a double crest. The upper half of the tale is black with three grey bands and the underside of it is black with three white bands. The core and the bill are black and the tarsi and the toes are yellow. A female harpy can weigh up to 6 - 9 kg and the males can weigh up to 4 - 4.8kg. The harpy eagle is 86.5-107 cm in total length and has a wingspan of 176-224 cm.

The harpy eagle feeds on monkeys, sloths and other mammals. The eagle also may attack bird species like parrots. It is found in Mexico throughout Central America and into South America to as far south Argentina. The eagle was named after Harpy, the predator, half-woman, half-bird monster in Greek mythology. The harpy eagle was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. At the age of 4-5 years, the females lay 2 white eggs.

Here are some interesting facts  

1. It is the largest and powerful predator bird in America. 
2. With a 7 inch spread of talons, it can easily throttle a monkey.
3. Nothing here goes to waste, everything but the bones get consumed even the skin