At up to 39 inches (100 cm), the harpy eagle is the tallest and some specimens compete to be the largest eagles in the world (The Philippine eagle can have a larger wingspan and Steller’s sea eagle can be heavier.). It has gigantic feet that are the size of a male human’s hands, but with deadly sharp claws. The legs are thick and strong as is its bill. The bird’s wings are relatively short, but it does help them fly through forest with thick vegetation. It moves from tree to tree, looking and listening, in search of its prey. They have a double crest on their heads which makes or an impressive crown of feathers on some. They feast on the larger tasty creatures in the region from Mexico south to Argentina: monkeys, tree porcupines, sloths, coatis, birds, snakes, lizards, etc.

These birds are protected by laws as their population has declined in number throughout the years mostly because of habitat loss. Unfortunately, the laws are hard to implement and enforce.

They make their nest high off the ground, about 150 feet up, and the female bird only lays a couple of eggs. They breed every other year, and they keep their young with them for about 12 months.