Venezuela ranked fourth among countries with the highest plant biodiversity. Venezuela's frontier forest in the Imataca Reserve contains many species found nowhere else in the world. The harpy eagle is the largest and most powerful eagle in the world. The female is bigger than the male, as in most birds of prey. She can weigh up to 20 pounds with a wingspan of 7 feet.
Harpy eagles are skillful hunters.
They perch quietly, watching and listening for long periods of time. Then they swoop down at high speed to snatch sloths and monkeys from high branches in the forest canopy . Their talons are longer than grizzly bear claws. Harpy eagles build nests of sticks in tall trees like the Brazil nut and cottonsilk. Pairs of males and females may stay together for life.