In the tropical rainforests of Mexico, Central, and South America, there is an eagle of amazing proportions. Its legs are the size of a man's arms, and it has claws the size of grizzly bear paws. Its rear talons are about 10 centimetres long! With a wingspan of up to 2.3 meters, the Harpy is one of the world's largest eagles, with an estimated lifespan of 25 to 35 years in the wild. Harpies live at low elevations in the rainforest, where they can find prey and large trees for nests. They are among the most powerful raptors in the world. From wing tip to wing tip, they are wider than many full-grown humans are tall. Harpy Eagles are not built for soaring. They have relatively short wings and long tails that act like a rudder on a boat to steer through dense vegetation. Rather than flying long distances, Harpies travel relatively slowly, moving from tree to tree through the forest. Harpy eagles are apex predators, diving down onto prey with outstretched feet. Hunting over territories that can exceed 40 square kilometres, they capture sloths, monkeys, small birds, and reptiles like iguanas, lizards, and snakes. Females are larger than males, weighing 6 to 9 kilograms, and standing around 1.1 meters tall.   Harpy eagles form breeding pairs that last for life. The pair builds a nest together in a large tall tree, high above the forest floor, consisting of woven sticks lined with soft vegetation and animal fur. These impressive nests are reused by the pair every year. The female lays two eggs, but will raise only one chick, focusing energy on the first chick to hatch and ignoring the second one. Both parents tend the chick for 10 months; the parents won't breed again for 2-3 years. Harpy eagles can potentially perch for up to 23 hours in search of prey. They are incredibly skilled in flight and are adept at maneuvering through the dense forest habitat. They are diurnal and hunt during the day. Harpy eagles use their long talons and powerful legs to subdue prey. They can easily snatch prey from the canopy and are powerful enough fliers to carry their prey away to a perch to feed. Like most predators, they help to keep the prey populations in check. Resources HTML, graphics & design by Bill Willis 2025