Suddenly the sky began to rain squirrel and capuchin monkeys. I saw both species running on the forest floor for quite some time, which is very unusual. For a moment I had no idea why such a behavior had occurred. The answer came quick when I saw a Harpy Eagle flying away with a squirrel monkey in its huge talons. The monkeys know of the eagle's power and they wholeheartedly fear it. Dr. Carol Mitchel, a primatologist with years of experience in the Peruvian rainforest, told me this story when we had lunch together in a small restaurant in Puerto Maldonado, Peru.
The Harpy Eagle is one of the top avian predators in the humid forest of the Neotropics.
Females, which are a third larger than males, can weigh up to nine kilos and have a wingspan of a little over two meters. The large and robust feet are known to be the biggest of all raptors. Measuring from the hind toe to the tip of the inner toe, lengths can reach up to 20 cm. Such a huge size allows for the Harpy to hunt a very diverse selection of prey. Harpy Eagles have been known to take arboreal mammals, such as kinkajous, porcupines, sloths, anteaters, and monkeys; as well as terrestrial mammals (agouties and armadillos) and birds (macaws and toucans).
They are skilled opportunistic predators that can hunt in all of the forest's levels.
Birdwatchers and naturalists, on the other hand, dream of seeing this relatively timid raptor that passes undetectably though the forest, rarely offers any vocalizations to assist in locating it, and lives in the higher, distant strata of the forest. I saw one once while working as a guide. I was with a small group at Lago Tres Chimbadas, an oxbow lake minutes up river from Posada Amazonas, a lodge at the Tambopata National Reserve. The Harpy was perched high in the canopy on a bare branch and was overlooking the lake. What a privilege to see one. The way it regally perches wearing its crown of dark raised feathers, it commands respect as would any king of the forest. Its back and wings are colored with an ominous gray. The abdomen and breast are pure white, except for the dark gray band across the upper breast. I have always thought of the appearance of a Harpy to resemble that of a medieval knight with battle armor.
Besides holding the record for being the most powerful raptor, the Harpy is also the record holder for having the longest breeding cycle of all known birds. The cycle which starts with both the male and female building the very large nest lasts for 30 months. In a nest with a diameter of one meter, the female generally lays 2 eggs. Incubation begins once the second egg is laid and ends when the first egg hatches, usually within a period of 60 days. The other egg is thus abandoned and usually rots.
If it does hatch, the chick is eventually killed by its more powerful sibling.
The duration of the breeding cycle allows for two things to happen, both of which are part of the Harpy Eagle project. Research with the goal of conservation can be routinely conducted on a raptor that is normally only seen by chance. Researchers can study reproductive behavior by placing a platform in a neighboring tree or a tower at a certain distance away. To define diet composition, prey remains that fall to the forest floor and are later discovered in the abandoned nest can be analyzed by comparison with existing specimens in a National History Museum in one of Peru's reputable universities. Habitat requirements can be determined by having a parcel around the tree in which all trees and their respective data are noted, soil samples are taken, and forest conditions are examined (i.e. drainage, age of the forest, and proximity to human development).
Secondly, the long duration creates the opportunity to have a predicable and very impressive activity for those who understand the great significance of seeing a Harpy Eagle. This does create a delicate situation and the need to supervise and control the development of tourist activities. All effort must be taken to reduce the chance of any impact on the breeding pair and the chick. Certain parameters have already been developed. Of the thirteen rules to be followed examples are the nest can not be visited until the chick is six weeks of age; guides and their groups must stop within 75 meters of the nest and reduce all possible noise; groups are to be of five individuals and stay no longer than 30 minutes; nothing is to be removed from the site; and no tress within a 100 meter radius can be cut. All rules are of course subject to change depending on the view of the researchers.
Quick question - If this grand predator is so elusive, how does one plan on ever finding a nest? The answer resides in the help of many eyes. Since 1992 Rainforest Expeditions, a private company has had a relationship with the Native Community of Infierno, the Ese'eja. The community owns 10,000 hectares of land beginning close to Puerto Maldonado and spreading along the banks of Tambopata River. The relationship with the community started when Rainforest Expeditions built the Tambopata Research Center (TRC), a lodge 8 hours upriver from Puerto Maldonado, and began to employ members for the lodge's various positions. At this time Posada Amazonas, which is only two hours from Puerto, had yet to be conceived. Eventually a partnership to construct a lodge arose between Rainforest Expeditions and the Community. The result was the creation of Posada Amazonas on 2,000 hectares the community had years ago set aside. Rainforest could now shorten the lengthy upriver ride with an overnight stay at Posada, the community was part of a thriving business that they had only previously seen pass by their eyes, and both parties could help each other in their own special ways. Further more in some years Posada Amazonas will be completely owned by the Native Community of Infierno.
The community has been a great help in locating nests. In 1996, five active nests were discovered by community members. This led to the community's involvement in the Harpy Eagle's conservation and the initial obtainment of data on the bird's habitat requirements, diet composition, and reproductive behavior. The permanent presence of community members in the forest allows for a constant awareness of Harpy Eagle activity. Often times, nests are found when members are simply walking the land surrounding their chacras or farms. As a result of the community's interest to assist in the study of Harpy Eagles and their protection, the community has selected the Harpy Eagle as its symbol.
To find nests in other places, such as in the uninhabited Reserve Zone where TRC lies, the project intends to use to the keen eyes of the guides who daily walk the trails and the park officials who live at two control point between Posada and TRC. The Harpy Eagle project is truly and effort by all who live and work in the humid forests along the Tambopata River between Puerto Maldonado and into the Reserva Nacional Tambopata. Everyone understands it is a project of great importance.
So commonly we hear how the rainforest is being destroyed at an alarming rate. It is. It certainly is. Harpy Eagles traditionally only lived and nested in uninhabited pristine forests; but as with many species of the rainforest, its distribution was curtailed by timber harvesting, agriculture, grazing, and hunting. Thanks to the Harpy Eagle's surprising adaptability, it can be found in areas of human disturbance, such as the Native Community of Infierno. What has been noted is that as long as the forest's composition adequately permits the reproduction and development of individuals, the Harpy can tolerate the presence of humans. This is why the need for research is so great - to discover the Harpy Eagle's habitat requirements and nesting behavior. If humans can coexist in a natural setting with this incredible animal, the opportunities for research and tourism will be far more than just random fortunate events. What a wonderful example of conservation it will be! Properly managed tourism, a very important aspect of the project, can be a very reliable source of income to further fund research and conservation. Keep your eyes open.
Early one morning, Patrick and I had our eyes on the macaw and parrot claylick, the one along the riverbank. We were there to monitor the claylick's activity: species composition, arrival and departure times, when the birds descend to the lick, and any reason why they may not descend. It is all part of another project - the Macaw Project. The loud avian social activity had already began and we were waiting for the birds to descend from the trees to eat the clay, a dietary ritual for hundreds of macaws and parrots; but none wanted to leave the relative safety of the trees and be exposed on the claylick. Why? We thought. There must be a predator somewhere.
Suddenly there was a flush from the trees. Disperse! Said the birds. Coming toward us was a huge raptor being chased by two large Scarlet Macaws who were clearly red with anger and willing to sacrifice their lives for, we assumed, their little one (at this time the macaw breeding season was at it peak). We were quick to put the binoculars to our eyes. Harpy Eagles closely resemble Crested Eagles, another powerful raptor, but of a smaller size. The raptor was definitely a Harpy Eagle. Sure enough we had just witnessed an intense scene of a predator and its very angry prey. I guess the Harpy knew it had lost the element of surprise and did not want to deal with the ferocity of two angry macaws. At any rate, we felt honored to see one the world's most majestic, powerful raptors.
To say 'we must conserve the rainforest' is very easy, but far more is remains to be said. The statement falls on ears that perceive it as being too obscure, too grand of a task. The solution to this is to have a representative that can stir the emotion to conserve. Seeing a Harpy Eagle in the wild will definitely do that. Save the Harpy Eagle! If we can learn more about how to conserve this attractive 'flagship species' and at the same time provide the necessary viewing experience, we will be protecting other species as well. With the help of the Harpy Eagle project, we can do just that.
* RENZO PIANA,
Forest Engineer who have studied harpies in the Tambopata Candamo basin, particularly in the forests of the Native Community of Infierno. He focused his master's research for the University of Copenhagen on characterizing the habitat
of harpies. He also managed a community sustainable development project in Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
He currently works helping set up communal reserves for the "Instituto del Bien Comun".
e-mail: postmast@rainforest.com.pe
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