{"id":36571,"date":"2026-09-09T10:59:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecoticias.com\/en\/?p=36571"},"modified":"2026-09-08T20:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:57:08","slug":"a-harpy-eagle-can-pull-monkeys-from-rainforest-trees-but-the-predators-giant-talons-cannot-save-it-from-disappearing-habitat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecoticias.com\/en\/a-harpy-eagle-can-pull-monkeys-from-rainforest-trees-but-the-predators-giant-talons-cannot-save-it-from-disappearing-habitat\/36571\/","title":{"rendered":"A harpy eagle can pull monkeys from rainforest trees, but the predator\u2019s giant talons cannot save it from disappearing habitat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is a bird in the rainforests of Central and South America, which looks almost too powerful to be real. The harpy eagle<\/a> has legs as thick as a person\u2019s wrist, a strong hooked beak, and talons that can lift monkeys and sloths from tree branches, high above the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large female can measure 3.3 feet long and weigh almost 20 pounds. They can spread their wings up to 6.6 feet wide. But, despite its impressive size and strength, the harpy eagle<\/a> is in trouble. It is classified as vulnerable because forests are being destroyed, people shoot the birds, and their reproduction is very slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The harpy eagle’s talons can lift monkeys and sloths from rainforest branches, but deforestation and its slow breeding rate leave the species vulnerable to decline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Built for power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Harpy eagles are one of the largest and strongest birds of prey in the world, although condors are bigger in size. Females can be twice as heavy as males, and they can even catch animals almost as heavy as them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read More: Scientists say we have seen less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor, and the unknown part is bigger than the map suggests<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although they are very big animals, their wings are not so long. Their long tail and short wings help them make tight turns in the forest, between trees and branches. This species is built to move through the rainforest, not to spend hours circling over open areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunting under a dark canopy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These eagles usually hunt by flying short distances between branches. They wait quietly for the animal to move. As just little sunlight touches the forest floor, they need to hear as well as observe. They have round feathers around their face to help them to pick up sound more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After it identifies the prey, the eagle launches fast. On the back of its foot it has a large claw that may grow to approximately 2.8 inches long. The eagle can pull howler monkeys, sloths, kinkajous, opossums, and iguanas from the trees with its giant feet. However, not every attack is successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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