Harpiinae

Harpiinae
Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Animalia
Subkingdom	Bilateria
Branch	Deuterostomia
Phylum Information
Phylum	Chordata
Sub-phylum	Vertebrata
Infraphylum	Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass	Tetrapoda
Class	Aves
Sub-class	Neornithes
Infra-class	Neoaves
Order Information
Order	Accipitriformes
Sub-order	Accipitres
Family Information
Superfamily	Accipitroidea
Family	Accipitridae
Sub-family	Harpiinae
Population statistics

Harpinae is a subfamily of eagles of the family of Accipitridae, and found in tropical rainforests of Central and South America, and the island of New Guinea. The name is based upon the harpies from Greek mythology, the half-human, half-bird monsters who tormented the living and carried them off to the underworld.

Although not true eagles (Aquilinae), they are among the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world, and are considered apex predators of the forests. Their diet consists of monkeys, sloths, small deer, large rodents, and smaller game including reptiles and birds.

Species

• Genus Harpia

Harpy eagle, Harpia harpyja

• Genus Harpyopsis

New Guinea harpy, or Papuan eagle, Harpyopsis novaeguineae

• Genus Morphnus

Crested eagle, Morphnus guianensis

A fourth species, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) has long been placed within Harpiinae due to similarities in size and behavior. However, according to molecular genetic studies, the Philippine eagle is not closely related to them, but to the snake or serpent eagles of the subfamily Circaetinae..

The species of Harpiinae are endangered or threatened by habitat destruction and/or persecution worldwide.