The prey of the Harpy Eagle in its last reproductive refuges in the Atlantic Forest

The Harpy Eagle's diet in the Atlantic Forest, particularly within its last reproductive refuges in Brazil's Central Atlantic Forest Ecological Corridor (CAFEC), is dominated by medium-sized arboreal mammals, with significant conservation implications. The study identified 16 mammal species, including five globally threatened and seven regionally threatened species, alongside a parrot and other bird remains. Notably, the diet heavily features the threatened Sapajus robustus and the non-threatened Bradypus variegatus. This research highlights the potential impact of prey population declines on Harpy Eagle survival, adding to the challenges posed by habitat loss and hunting. The findings were derived from a comprehensive analysis of 152 prey remains and 285 camera trap photographs collected between 2017 and 2021 from seven active nests.

Kaizer, M., Fabres, B., Aguiar-Silva, F. H., Sanaiotti, T. M., Dias, A. R., & Banhos, A. (2023). The prey of the Harpy Eagle in its last reproductive refuges in the Atlantic Forest. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44014-9