Águila Arpia

The harpy eagle

The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), one of the most powerful eagles and the largest in the American continent. It is distributed in a large part of Latin American territory, including Venezuela.

This impressive bird is characterized for having a beautiful plumage with shades between dark gray and light gray, a curved and very strong beak, wings that reach up to 2 meters in span, strong claws that can measure up to about 7 cm long and a crest on the head that characterizes and resembles the shape of some horns. The harpy eagle is quick and accurate in its attacks and can raise prey up to 3 times its weight. It feeds mainly on mammals, being part of their diet monkeys and sloths. However, it also feeds on other birds and reptiles, such as iguanas and snakes. The female is larger than the male and every two or three years it places between one and two eggs, of which only one of the chicks survives. A reproductive couple needs wooded land of no less than 10 km2 to stock up on food and nesting spaces, the ceiba being their favorite tree This area is equivalent to 12 times the Parque del Este! Due to the destruction and deterioration of its habitat for the development of human settlements, like its hunting for fear, ignorance or to obtain its claws as a trophy, the harpy eagle is at risk of extinction.