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Please remember that many
of the pages in this section include material that has not yet been
published, but is being prepared for publication in the near future.
Please contact me before using any of it.
Harpy
Eagle
Harpia
harpyja
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| This is probably the most sought
after species in the Neotropics. However, it has declined throughout
most of Central America and is now known from only a few locations.
Although there may be a few individuals present in remote locations,
such as the Peten, the only place where you have any realistic
chance of seeing this species in our region is in Mosquitia.
The guides in Las Marias are familiar with this species, but
say that you have to be very lucky to see it. Apparently they
live in the hills, especially around Pico Dama. One of the locals
told me the sad story of how many years ago a bird had entered
the village and caught someone’s chicken. They have almost
no fear of humans, so it then landed in a tree and proceeded
to eat it and was then shot by the owner of the chicken. I commented
on how terrible this was, but he replied with a shrug ‘but
it ate his chicken’. The locals of the region are actually
very knowledgable about wildlife and have not caused much damage
to the area, but this incident highlights the problem faced
when poor people with few resources are living besides threatened
species. I told the man what a shame it was and commented that
a known nest of this species would bring lots of birders and
money into the town. I have still never seen one in the wild. |
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