harpy eagle

American  

noun

1. a large, powerful eagle, Harpia harpyja, of tropical America: an endangered species.

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harpy eagle British  

noun

1. a very large tropical American eagle, Harpia harpyja, with a black-and-white plumage and a head crest

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Etymology

Origin of harpy eagle

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

For some, the experience included encountering the majestic harpy eagle, one of the world’s most powerful avian predators and threatened species that has been known to nest near the camp.

From Washington Post

The harpy eagle is the largest in the Americas, with huge talons for hunting monkeys and sloths in the treetops.

From BBC

With 0.5 percent of the world’s land surface, it holds 7 percent of its biological diversity, including rare and endangered species like jaguar, Baird’s tapir and harpy eagle.

From Scientific American

One government official, speaking to Smithsonian magazine, compared her to the harpy eagle, which happened to be her favorite animal: “Once she gets her talons into you, she does not let go.”

From Washington Post

Interestingly, it was once thought that this species was related to other large forest eagles found around the world, such as the harpy eagle of South America and the crowned hawk eagle of Africa.

From National Geographic