![]() The main difference is by weight males weigh 4-4.8 kg (9-11 lbs.) and females weigh 7.6-9 kg (16-20 lbs.). The Harpy Eagle is 1 meter in length and has a wingspan of 2 meters long. Males and females are distinguishable by their size female Harpy Eagles are significantly larger than males. The Harpy Eagle’s hind talon is 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) in length, the same size as a grizzly bear claw! Most prey is taken in the canopy of the forest, but at times, these neotropical raptors will descend to the ground and catch terrestrial prey like agouti, peccary and even small deer. Long talons allow Harpy Eagles to catch their prey – medium-sized mammals including sloths, monkeys, tamandua, iguana, coati, agouti and even porcupines make up their diet. Crested Eagles are overall smaller and lighter built, with single crest, and has 2 color morphs (light morph and dark morph) but never show black chest band. Harpy Eagles have very strong bills and very robust tarsi and toes, key features to help distinguish it from the Crested Eagle, another large eagle which shares the same range and habitat as the Harpy Eagle. It takes 3-4 years for a young Harpy Eagle to attain full adult plumage, and reach sexual maturity around 5 years of age. Juveniles and immatures are generally light gray all over, with varying degrees of gray on back and wings depending on age and stage of molt. Adult Harpy Eagles have gray heads with crest, uniform dark charcoal gray upperparts, broad black chest band, white lower breast and belly and fine black barring on legs. These neotropical raptors are built for life inside a forest-broad, relatively short-winged (despite 2 meter wingspan!), with a long, banded tail that acts as a rudder to maneuver through the forest canopy. It has a long, divided crest on its head, often swept back but readily held erect and often blows around freely in the breeze. Found in the lowland rainforests of tropical America, this mighty forest eagle is on every birder’s wish list! It is easily identifiable by its massive size, which separates it from all other raptors in these tropical lowlands. Panama’s national bird-the Harpy Eagle-is the largest, most powerful eagle in the Americas.
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