- Life expectancy
Identification
Broad, relatively short wings and a long tail are adapted to flying between treetops. The erectile, divided crest, grey head and dark breast band characterise the adult. The talons are exceptionally powerful.
Colours
Adult
Grey head with a double crest, dark breast band and white belly. The feathered thighs are barred dark; the iris can look grey to brown.
Behaviour
In dense forest the Harpy Eagle easily stays hidden despite its size. Long periods resting on a perch alternate with short flights. Preserving tall forest trees is particularly important for its way of life and reproduction.
Breeding & rearing
The massive stick nest is high in a large tree. Usually only one young bird is raised. It fledges after about five to six months and remains dependent for a long time; a pair therefore often breeds only every second year.
