Also known as an American Harpy Eagle, the Harpy Eagle, is a tropical species of eagle that lives in Central and South America. This majestic Eagle is the largest and most powerful "raptor" species of bird found in the Americas. The Harpy has the largest known habitat rage of any eagle specie in the world because they can be found from Belize, Central America to Brazil, South America. The Harpy's usual habitat are the tropical lowlands and rain forests, nesting in the upper tree canopies.

The top of the back of a Harpy Eagle is covered with black slates feathers and its' lower body is covered with white feathers. However, the feathered tarsi is stripped with black. The head of the Harpy is a pale greyish color and is crowned with a double crest. Unlike other birds you can not tell the sex of a Harpy Eagle by its' feathers because male and female markings are completely identical.

Female Harpy's are about 30 percent larger then males and can weigh as much as 18 pounds on average, however, the record is 27 pounds. These male Eagles usually weigh only a mere 10 pounds compared to females. Harpy Eagles as a species are 2½ to 3 feet long and have a wingspan of approximately 6 feet and have talons that are about 5 inches long.

This great Raptor Eagle been severely threatened by the extensive loss of its' habitat due to the expansion of logging, cattle ranching, agriculture and prospecting. Also because of the great size of a Harpy Eagle some people think they should be afraid of it. However, this is not the case as these Eagles have no interest at all in people. In the country of Brazil, South America, Harpies have been almost completely wiped out from the Atlantic rain forest and now it is only found only very remote regions of the Amazon River Basin.

It is not know how many of these beautiful Raptor Eagles are left in the wild, however their conservation status is still only at "Near Threatened." So, if you ever have the opportunity to travel to Central or South America and happen to see a Harpy Eagle, grab your camera... you won't regret it!