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Harpy Eagle

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Saved by Myles W
on April 18, 2010 at 4:27:08 pm
 

 Harpy Eagle

I.Introduction

 

     High in the canopy layer of the Amazon Rain Forest is magnificent bird called the Harpy Eagle, have you ever heard of it? In the library I found a book on eagles for my report. Did you every want to know how birds fly? The way It looks is just amazing. Now lets learn more about the Harpy Eagle.

 

II. Family

 

     There are numerous different species of The Harpy Eagle. Harpy Eagles are part of 59 other species of eagles. The Harpy Eagle is also related to the hawk family. A group of Harpy Eagles is called a flock. That's the Harpy Eagles family.

 

III. Aren't I Cute!The Harpy Eagle foot

 

     On the foot of a Harpy Eagle it has four toes, three pointed forward, and one pointed backward. Each toe has a razor sharp talon on it. It's beak is like its talons. Their beaks and talons are like fingernails they get worn down and eventually grow back, but when in captivity the beak, and talons grow longer than normal. At the back of the beak is an area of skin called the cere, where the nostrils are found. The head and neck of the Harpy Eagle is black, and the chest is black and under parts are white. It's massive are yellow, it's talons are black and so is it's large beak. Harpy Eagles stand about three feet tall, weigh over 10 pounds,(the females weigh up to 20 pounds) and their wing span is about 7 feet long. Can you visualize the Harpy Eagle.

 A map of South America

IV. Location

 

     In the Amazon rain forest, high in canopy layer lives the Harpy Eagle where it stays all it's life. They have their own territories.The size of their territory is about 238 to 300 miles from the center out. Now you know where to look for the Harpy Eagle?

 

 

V. Meal time

 Harpy Eagles eat Sloths

     Harpy Eagle eat monkeys, sloths, possums and porcupines. They also hunt lemurs, snakes and lizards. When their sitting on a high perch, using it's incedible eyes spots it's prey it folds it's wings back and swoops down like a dive bomber. Just before contact the eagle opens it's wings to slow down. Then the Harpy Eagle swings it's legs forward to snatch it's prize with it's talons. That's howthe Harpy Eagle eats and how it gets it's food.

 Loggers are one ofthe enemies of the Harpy Eagle

VI. Enemies

 

     The Harpy Eagle has two enemies storms and loggers. If a Harpy Eagle gets wet it won't be able to fly and might die from starvation. Loggers cut down the eagles homes so it has nowhere to live. The Harpy Eagle has only those two natural enemies.

 

VII. Defense

  

     Harpy Eagle listen to important sounds that warns them when bad  weather is coming. That's when they start flying toward shelter. When loggers cut down is to move away. Those are the only defenses the Harpy Eagle has.

 

VIII. Reproduction

 

     Harpy Eagles reproduces in spring. After the eggs have been it takes 52 days to develop and hatch. Two to three eggs are layed by the female. The babies when they hatch they are called eaglets. Harpy Eagles live to be 30-50 years old.

 

IV.Friends or Foes

 

     Humans pollute rivers and lakes, the prey of the Harpy Eagles drink the polluted water ,then Harpy Eagles eat the poisoned prey and eventuallydie from the poisoned prey. Franchers shoot and poison Harpy Eagles because they think Harpy Eagles killmany live stock. Over and over again this hasbeen proven to be untrue. Some people made conservation groups around the world to pass laws to stop pollution, shooting and trapping eagles. Now you know that most humans a foes to Harpy Eagles.

 

X. Population

 

     The current population of the Harpy Eagles is unknown. The Harpy Eagle is an endangered species. The Harpy Eagle losing its habitat. We have to protect the Harpy Eagle for future generations.

 

XI. Night, Night

 

      Harpy Eagles hunt in the day and sleep at night. Their eyes are horrible a night. The Harpy Eagle sleeps high up in the canopy layer.Those are just some sleeping habits known about the Harpy Eagles do at night.

 

XII. Survival

 

     The decreas in rain forests has had s negative impact on the climate. The land has gotten hotter and drier as the size of the rain forest has decreased. Harpy Eagles are dependant upon the rainforest for surifval. The Harpy Eagle is rarely found in drier parts of the Amazon and this lose of natural habitat, with it's impact on the climate, it has increased the challenge to survive.

XII. Habits 

 

     Harpy Eagle glide through canopy plucking it's prey out of a tree.Mating Pairs Built Large nest in the top of trees During courtship Harpy Eagles utter a loud wheeeeoooooo sound. Those are only some of the habits of Harpy Eagle. 

 

XIV. Unique Characteristics

 

     Harpy Eagles' eyes are like human eyes. They have 3-D or binocular vision, this helps them judge distance and speed. The ears on Harpy Eagles aren't visible, there covered by a special layer of feathers just behind the eyes. The first eaglet born is the first one to be fed. Now you know why we have to protect this beautiful creature.

 

XV. It was Fun while it Lasted

 

     Therefore, if your ever flying over the Amazon Rainforest look out the window you just might see a Harpy Eagle. Isn't the Harpy Eagle an interesting an and daring bird. If youever decide to cut down a tree make sure nothing lives in the tree first. Protect theHarpy Eagle so all people can this magnificent bird.

 

Books: Jimmy, Johnson. Simon & Schuster Childrens Guide to birds. 1996.

Sattler, Helen. The books of Eagles. 1989.

Lang, Abrey. Sierra club Wildlife Libray Eagles. 1990.

 

Encyclopedia: Balgoanyen, Tomas. "Harpy Eagle" The World book Encyclopedia. 2007.

 

Internet: National Geographic. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/pa=harpy+eagle. 4/8/10

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