They are considered to be an important indicator of ecosystem health - when harpies start to disappear, scientists know that either prey numbers have declined, or the forest area is becoming too small.
#Harpy eagle drivers#
The greatest drivers of deforestation in Latin America are slash-and-burn agriculture and ranching, road building, and forest fires.Įach eagle requires a territory of about 100km² of forest. Some indigenous groups used to keep live harpies in cages, and others create ceremonial garments from their feathers.ĭeforestation is by far the greatest threat to the harpy eagle. For some, harpies are the personification of tribal chiefs. Harpies have long had great significance for various indigenous groups throughout their range. The harpy parents produce a chick every 2-4 years.ĭid you know? A harpy eagle's fierce talon is as long as a grizzly bear's claw. That one chick will fledge within about 6 months. Harpy eagles mate for life, and the female lays two eggs, only one of which usually hatches. They're able to hunt prey up to 10kg (22 lb.) From the canopy, they hunt sloths, monkeys, agoutis, snakes, and more, sometimes snatching their prey from treetops while in flight. Harpies are found in rainforest habitats throughout much of South and Central America. Harpy eagles are enormous birds of prey, tied for the title of world's largest eagle with the Steller's sea eagle and the Phillipine eagle. Ministerio de Ambiente (Ministry of the Environment), Panama Threats: Destruction of habitat for agriculture, logging, and development
Habitats: Large expanses of uninterrupted rainforest, where they mostly spend time in the canopy
Size: 2.2m (7.5 ft) wingspan, with females larger than males
Population in Panama: 227 nesting pairs as of 2012 ( Bird Watching Daily), most in Darien National Park. Global Population: No reliable estimates ( National Geographic) IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable globally, listed as Critically Endangered in most Central American countries including Panama
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