Apex predators are in widespread decline, in many occasions as a consequence of the demise of their prey. Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) are the largest extant eagles on Earth and keystone predators in the tropical forests they inhabit. Although Harpy Eagle prey composition has been described by a number of studies, diet data from primary forests are rare on the literature. Here, I describe the diet of Harpy Eagles living in the Central Suriname Reserve primary forests and review literature data to provide an accessible reference to all known reports of Harpy Eagle prey species. In Central Suriname Nature Reserve, Harpy Eagles made frequent use of game prey such as large primates, large birds, and terrestrial animals, besides what is considered their staple prey, sloths. Nine new prey species were recorded, most of them game animals. This totals 102 prey species when summed with literature data. This information provides new insights into the autecology of Harpy Eagles in Neotropical forests, enabling a better understanding of the ecological effects of apex predator.
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1 January 2020
Prey Composition of Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) in Raleighvallen, Suriname
Everton B. P. Miranda
Tropical Conservation Science
Vol. 11 • No. 1
March 2018
Vol. 11 • No. 1
March 2018
aerial predator
apex predator
Canopy
nonhunted forest
primary forest
primate predation