Papuan eagle

Papuan eagle
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Subfamily: Harpiinae
Genus: Harpyopsis
Salvadori, 1875
Species:
H. novaeguineae
Binomial name
Harpyopsis novaeguineae
Salvadori, 1875

The Papuan eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae) is a large bird of prey.[2] It is also known by several other names, including Papuan harpy eagle, New Guinea eagle, New Guinea harpy eagle, or kapul eagle, the latter name from the local name for a usually arboreal marsupial that the eagle is known to regularly hunt.[3][4] This is an endemic species to New Guinea, and it can occasionally be found throughout the island.[1] This is a forest-dwelling species, usually occurring in mature rainforest.[5] The Papuan eagle is a fairly little-known species for a large eagle; however, it is known to prey on a wide range of prey, probably by and large mammals and birds from small to quite large sizes.[2][4] Unique amongst eagles, the Papuan eagle is a surprisingly fast and agile terrestrial avian predator and is capable of chasing down prey on the forest floor.[6] What little study has been conducted about its breeding habits suggests it nests in a large forest tree, perhaps every other year.[7] The Papuan eagle is probably naturally scarce, but it is under the threat of habitat destruction by deforestation, as well as hunting. Due to its small and declining population, the species has been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.[1]

  1. ^ a b c BirdLife International (2016). "Harpyopsis novaeguineae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22696007A93538251. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22696007A93538251.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Ferguson-Lees, J., & Christie, D. A. (2001). Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK.
  3. ^ Heinsohn, T. (2000). Predation by the White-breasted Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster on Phalangerid Possums in New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. Emu, 100(3), 245-246.
  4. ^ a b Global Raptor Information Network. 2020. Species account: New Guinea Harpy Eagle Harpyopsis novaeguineae. Downloaded from http://www.globalraptors.org on 4 Dec. 2020.
  5. ^ Freeman, B. & Class-Freeman, A.M. (2014). The avifauna of Mt. Karimui, Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea, including evidence for long-term population dynamics in undisturbed tropical forest. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 134(1):30–51.
  6. ^ "Papuan Eagle Harpyopsis novaeguineae". Palm Oil Detectives.
  7. ^ Legra, L.A.T. (2005). Nest-site selection and behavioural biology of the New Guinea Harpy Eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae. Honours dissertation. University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.