The harpy eagle is legendary, although few people have seen one in their native habitats. Fortunately, you can view one here at the Zoo! Named after harpies of Greek mythology, this dark gray bird of prey has a very distinctive look, with feathers atop its head that fan into a bold crest when the bird feels threatened. Some smaller gray feathers create a facial disk that may focus sound waves to improve the bird’s hearing, similar to owls. The harpy eagle's legs can be as thick as a small child's wrist, and its curved back talons are larger than grizzly bear claws! The harpy may not be the largest bird of prey (that title belongs to the Andean condor), but this extraordinary creature is the heaviest and most powerful of birds. View our harpy eagle and other raptors along the Eagle Trail.
