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Giant eagles in South America, meet the harpy eagle
Today I will be talking about an incredibly beautiful bird, is considered one of the largest and most powerful on the planet, also its beauty has inspired Mexican and American culture to have them present as national symbols, is the national bird of Ecuador, I'm talking about the harpy eagle. Come with me to know the main characteristics about this wonderful animal.
Its scientific name is Harpia harpyja, is one of the largest of all genres, are located in part of central countries such as Panama, and some South American countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Venezuela is recognized for having the largest number of harpy eagles.
There is a very marked dimorphism between males and females, males are smaller than females measuring up to a maximum of 90 centimeters high while females then measure between 1.10 meters to 1.50 meters, in addition the wingspan of their wings can reach up to 5 meters in length. Its claws can have the size superior to an adult human hand, another of its more important features is the crest that carries in its head which the difference of all the other eagles, the feathers of the head present tonalities between gray and black, its abdomen and chest is of a gray color, while its wings present black tones with gray tones. In addition, they can weigh a maximum of 10 kilograms.
Among the eagles it is one of the fastest, can reach speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. Besides having an excellent vision, and a very resistant beak.
Currently this species is being threatened by the devastation of its habitat, and this is due to the large areas that the bird needs to procreate, at least must be between 40 and 80 square kilometers of forest, but the growing gold mining industry adding deforestation has put at risk this beautiful bird. According to IUCN data is threatened throughout the country that inhabits.
In addition, the square kilometers you mention you need in order to survive, in some aboriginal villages they are hunted to make handcrafted decorations with their parts, or to keep it alive in captivity, this means a break in its natural biological cycle.
Since 1996 in Venezuela the harpy eagle is in danger of extinction, however, innumerable educational projects have been created in order to educate the youngest about the care and conservation of this beautiful bird.
It is sad to see how the animals of the Amazon rainforest become extinct as a result of the extractive activities of gold and wood and the commercialization of pets in the international market. So much biodiversity is being wasted, in less than 30 years half of the world's species have been lost, some I do not think have disappeared, but going deeper into the jungle means changing eating habits which likewise puts at risk the survival of any species.
Among its eating habits we find that it is a 100% carnivorous bird, prefers to hunt monkeys and sloths, it is also common to feed on other birds such as parrots and macaws. If they are close to a population it is common for them to attack and marry, poultry and even cow or sheep cubs.
As far as its reproduction we have that it is a species, it is a monogamous bird reason why it has its seems for life. The seasons are every 2 years, and can lay 2 eggs at most surviving 1 single chick and some cases both. Its mortality rate is high, and its development to a stage in which it can fend for itself. It is 6 years old. These biological factors added to deforestation for example, is a deadly cocktail so the eagles are constant threat.
Thank you for reading
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