Harpy eagles live in forests. The forests are in Central America and South America. A harpy eagle is one of the largest eagles in the world. It is also one of the most powerful. Its body is about 89 to 102 centimeters (35 to 40 inches) long. Its wings can spread up to about 2 meters (6.5 feet) from tip to tip.

A female weighs up to about 9 kilograms (20 pounds). A male weighs about 9 to 11 pounds. That is much less than a female. A female is bigger than her mate. How big are its claws? Its back claws are about as big as a grizzly bear's claws. A back talon is up to about 5 inches (12.5 to 13 centimeters) long. That is as reported by zoos and a university museum.

A harpy eagle has a ring of feathers around its face, like an owl. The feathers of its face disk are thought to help carry sounds. They carry them to its ears. It has sharp eyesight, too. It uses its eyes to find animals in the trees.

A harpy eagle has relatively short wings. They help it steer between trees in thick forest. It flies between trees and branches with great skill for such a big bird. Harpy eagles eat monkeys and sloths that live in the trees. They also eat opossums and iguanas.

Harpy eagles build nests in some of the tallest trees in the forest. A nest is about 27 to 43 meters (90 to 140 feet) above the ground. A nest can be about 5 feet (1.5 meters) across. A female lays one or two eggs. But usually only one chick grows up.

A harpy eagle egg takes about 55 days to hatch. Both parents care for their chick for about 10 months. A young eagle first leaves the nest at about five to seven months old. A harpy eagle lives about 25 to 35 years.

Words to know

• talon: a bird's claw
• disk: flat round shape
• chick: a baby bird
• hatch: come out

The short version

Harpy eagles live in forests in Central America and South America. A harpy eagle is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world. Its back claws are about as big as a grizzly bear's claws. It eats monkeys and sloths that live in the trees.

Quick facts

• Harpy eagles live in forests in Central America and South America.
• A harpy eagle's wings can spread up to about 2 meters (6.5 feet) from tip to tip.
• A female harpy eagle weighs up to about 9 kilograms (20 pounds).
• A harpy eagle egg takes about 55 days to hatch.
• A harpy eagle lives about 25 to 35 years.