Papuan Eagle

The Papuan eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae, is a majestic bird of prey endemic to the lush rainforests of New Guinea. Known by various names such as the Papuan harpy eagle, New Guinea eagle, or kapul eagle, this raptor is distinguished by its sizeable stature and forest-dwelling habits. The species is characterized by a greyish brown plumage with a creamy-colored underside, and a notably long tail adorned with blackish bands.

Identification Tips

Adult Papuan eagles exhibit a creamy underside with obscure darker bars, while their backs are marked with faint buff and white edging. Juveniles are paler with more buff on the underside and a tail featuring narrower bars. The species has a short but full crest, a powerful bill, and large eyes with brown to orange irises. Their elongated, bare legs range from brownish-grey to dull orange, and their feet are equipped with sharp claws. In flight, the upperside is uniformly grey-brown, and the underwings match the cream underside, save for the barred grey flight feathers.

Habitat

The Papuan eagle thrives in undisturbed tropical rainforests, but it may also inhabit gallery forests, monsoon scrub forests, and dry woodlands. Sightings in forest edges and open areas such as gardens are exceedingly rare.

Distribution

This eagle is found throughout New Guinea, from the Indonesian Papua in the west to Papua New Guinea in the east. It resides at various elevations, from sea level to 2,000 meters, and occasionally at heights ranging from 3,200 to 3,700 meters.

Behaviour

The Papuan eagle is an elusive and powerful hunter, preferring the still-hunting technique from perches within the forest canopy. It is known to listen for prey movement in the undergrowth and may spend time on the ground hunting agilely for prey such as megapodes. This species is thought to be diurnal, despite its occasional nocturnal vocalizations.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of the Papuan eagle includes a loud "uumpph" or "okh," reminiscent of a hiccup or taut bowstring, and a powerful "buk-buk-buk" similar to a chicken's call. A deep "bungh-bungh" may also be heard, along with a high-pitched whining call.

Breeding

Breeding habits of the Papuan eagle are not well-documented, but they are believed to nest in large forest trees, possibly every other year. Nests are enormous and often reused, located deep within the forest in emergent trees towering above the canopy.

Similar Species

The Papuan eagle is unlikely to be confused with other large New Guinea eagles due to its distinctive appearance. Gurney's eagle, the wedge-tailed eagle, and the white-bellied sea eagle inhabit different habitats and exhibit contrasting features.

Diet and Feeding

This raptor preys on a variety of mammals, including phalangers, tree-kangaroos, and various rodents. Birds, reptiles, and occasionally small domestic animals also form part of its diet. The Papuan eagle is an opportunistic predator, targeting prey of considerable size.

Conservation Status

The Papuan eagle is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated population of 1,500 to 15,000 individuals. The species faces threats from deforestation and hunting, with its population believed to be in decline. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.