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National Bird of Panama

 Harpy Eagle💖

              

Harpia harpyja

Photo by David Tipling

Panama’s national bird—the Harpy Eagle—is the largest, most powerful eagle in the Americas.

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. It has a long, divided crest on its head, often swept back but readily held erect and often blows around freely in the breeze. Males and females are distinguishable by their size; female Harpy Eagles are significantly larger than males. The Harpy Eagle is 1 meter in length and has a wingspan of 2 meters long. 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.). Females can weigh over 2x more than their mate!

They are solitary and monogamous and mate for life. A Harpy Eagle pair maintains a home range up to 25km2. When it comes time to breed, a pair will construct a nest in the crown of an emergent tree, in some areas up to 50-75 meters tall! Nests are typically placed in the crown 21-41 meters above the ground, and the tree must have at least 3-4 large principal branches for suitable use. 

Harpy Eagle with its breeding.

The female will typically lay 2 eggs, and a clutch of 3 has even been reported; however, in almost all cases, only 1 chick is raised. Laying 2 eggs is thought to be a ‘back-up’ in case something happens with the first egg. After the 2nd egg is laid, the female begins incubation for 56 days. During this time, the male will hunt and bring food to her, and occasionally incubates the eggs, relieving her to eat. Harpy Eagles are devoted parents: when the chick hatches, the female feeds the hatchling almost exclusively and the male is responsible for hunting and bringing prey. As the chick grows, both males and females hunt and bring food to the chick. The young bird fledges at 4.5 to 6 months of age and will stay at the nest site for up to 12 months, remaining dependent on the adults for food.

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