ANATOMY OF BIRDS
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
MIGRATIONS OF BIRDS
CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS
LIZARD-TAILED BIRD
AMERICAN TOOTHED-BIRDS
THE OSTRICHES
THE RHEAS
EMEUS AND CASSOWARIES
THE TINAMOUS
THE KIWIS
THE PENGUINS
LOONS AND GREBES
ALBATROSSES & PETRELS
STORK-LIKE BIRDS
GOOSE-LIKE BIRDS
FALCON-LIKE BIRDS
FOWL-LIKE BIRDS
CRANE-LIKE BIRDS
PLOVER-LIKE BIRDS
CUCKOO-LIKE BIRDS
THE ROLLER-LIKE BIRDS
SPARROW-LIKE BIRDS
Birds and Birding's Guide to:
Watching THE FALCON-LIKE BIRDS
THE KITES, BUZZARDS, EAGLES, HAWKS, AND ALLIES
The Harpy Eagles
(Subfamily Thrasetina).—Taking their name from the mythological winged monsters which were sent by the gods to carry off offenders, the Harpies are among the largest and most powerful birds of prey, and many are the stories current of their prowess. They are comprised in five genera and six species, being mostly natives of Central and South America, with one extending into Mexico and possibly to the southern border of the United States in Texas.
The affinities and systematic position of the Harpies have been more or less questioned, some associating them directly with the Buzzards, with which they undoubtedly have a number of points in common, but it seems best to regard them as entitled to full subfamily rank.
Aside from certain anatomical peculiarities they differ from the true Eagles in having the posterior side of the metatarsus covered with large transverse plates, thus agreeing with the Buzzards, from which, however, they are distinguished by the presence of a well-defined crest.
They have strong bills of moderate length, rather short, rounded wings, and unusually long tails, the latter thought to be of especial assistance in guiding them in their rapid flight among the forest trees, where they often make their home and where they pursue their prey.
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