A Harpy Eagle's rear talons are as large as the claws of a grizzly bear.

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is the most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, with females weighing up to 20 pounds. Their rear talons, or hallux claws, typically measure between 4 to 5 inches, which is comparable to the 2 to 4-inch claws of a North American grizzly bear. This physical adaptation allows them to exert a crushing pressure of over 500 pounds per square inch, effectively snapping the spines of their prey instantly.Native to the tropical lowlands of Central and South America, these raptors are apex predators that specialize in hunting arboreal mammals. Research published in journals like 'The Condor' highlights that their diet consists primarily of sloths and various monkey species, such as howlers and capuchins. Their short, broad wingspan of about 6.5 feet is an evolutionary adaptation for maneuvering through thick jungle vegetation rather than soaring in open spaces.One of their most remarkable sensory features is the facial disk, a collection of feathers that can be raised or lowered. This disk functions as a biological acoustic amplifier, directing high-frequency sounds to their ear openings located behind the eyes. This allows the Harpy Eagle to detect the slight rustle of a primate moving through leaves even when the animal is not visible. Despite their dominance, they are currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN due to habitat loss and slow reproductive cycles.