Rainforest Expeditions (est. 1989) operates three award winning Amazon lodges: Posada Amazonas, Refugio Amazonas, and Tambopata Research Center. Each Amazon lodge provides access to a unique set of ecotourism experiences in the jungle of southeastern Peru.
Our packages include activities comprised of aspects of nature and culture of the Amazon rainforest. We offer a variety of special interest activities, tours and expeditions like Soft Adventure, Birdwatching expeditions, Family and more...
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)
Photo: Christoff Schmid
Name: Harpy Eagle
Local name: Aguila Arpía
Scientific name: Harpia harpyja
Characteristics:
1. Size 89 to 102 cm.
2. Head and body white.
3. Double crest on the head, dark plumes.
4. Wings and band on chest black.
5. Tail with black and white bands.
Habitat and behavior: Tropical lowland rainforests. Prefer the upper (emergent) canopy layer. Never flies above forest only from one tree to another.
Diet: Very active hunter feeding mainly on arboreal mammals and big birds like guans and toucans.
Reproduction habits: The harpy eagle is monogamous, meaning it mates for life. They nest high in the canopy of emergent trees, about 40 to 60 meters above the ground. The nests are built loosely of sticks and fresh leaves in the crutch of the first branches. Harpy eagles prefer ceiba, kapok and Brazil nut trees. Usually two eggs are laid, but after the first bird hatches, the other egg is ignored and fails to hatch. The incubation period lasts for 52 to 56 days.
The harpy eagle has the longest breeding period of any raptor. They raise only one chick every two to three years. Both parents care for the chick, feeding it for up to 10 months or more. A young harpy eagle will fledge, or leave the nest with an age of about 4 1/2 to 6 months. It will stay in its parent's territory for at least one more year.
Curiosities: Harpies are the most powerful eagles known and the second largest after the Philipine eagle. Both the harpy eagle and the Philipine eagle are seriously threatened species. The wingspan can reach 2 meters and females can weight up to 8kg, whereas males are smaller with 5.5 kg. The claws of a harpy eagly can measure 13 cm, even more than those of a grizzly bear. This species is threatened in all its distribution range mainly due to habitat destruction and hunting of its prey.
The harpy eagle is a mithological animal in many amazonian communities. In Tambopata various nests have been registered and studies about its behavior and diet have been carried out. The harpy eagle is on the emblem of the Native Community of Infierno.
