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 • Dec. 27, 2021

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 • Jan. 28, 2021

An authority on birds of prey, he established his bona fides as an adventurous wildlife filmmaker when he flew to British Guiana in 1955 to study the harpy eagle, one of the world’s largest raptors.

From Washington Post • May 9, 2019

The park shelters endangered and threatened species such as the brown-headed spider monkey, great green macaw, jaguar, and harpy eagle.

From National Geographic • Oct. 9, 2015

The black coloring and the shape of the bill otherwise suggest the black vulture, though perhaps the crest would indicate the harpy eagle.

From Animal Figures in the Maya Codices by Tozzer, Alfred M. (Alfred Marston)