Harpy Eagle-The Monkey Eater

Harpy Eagle- The Monkey Eater

1. The Harpy Eagle has a body length of 35 - 41 inches, a 6 1/2 -foot wingspan, and weighs 10 - 20 pounds. The female can be as twice as heavy as her mate.

2. They are mostly grey with an orange beak.

3. Harpy Eagles are found in tropical lowland forests from southeastern Mexico to northern Argentina and southern Brazil.

4. Harpy Eagles feed primarily on animals that live in the trees, like sloths, monkeys and some reptiles and birds.

5. Nests: Harpy Eagles build huge nests of sticks and branches in the tallest, or emergent, trees in the rainforest.

6. Eggs: Harpy females lay 1-2 eggs. After the first egg hatches 53-58 days later, the other egg is usually ignored and does not hatch.

7. Chicks: The chick stays in its parents’ territory until he is 1 year old.

8. Harpy Eagles are considered to be one of the world’s largest and most powerful eagles.

9. Harpy Eagles, like many other birds of prey, bring fresh green twigs and branches to the nest. Some researchers think this helps to fumigate the nest against insects and parasites, and provide a cooler environment for the nestling 

10. Harpy eagles have long talons they use to catch their food with.

11. The largest extant bird of prey in the Western Hemisphere.