The Papuan eagle is a large bird of prey. It is also known by several other names, including Papuan harpy eagle, New Guinea eagle, New Guinea harpy eagle, or kapul eagle, the latter name from the local name for a usually arboreal marsupial that the eagle is known to regularly hunt. This is an endemic species to New Guinea, and it can occasionally be found throughout the island. This is a forest-dwelling species, usually occurring in mature rainforest. The Papuan eagle is a fairly little-known species for a large eagle; however, it is known to prey on a wide range of prey, probably by and large mammals and birds from small to quite large sizes. Unique amongst eagles, the Papuan eagle is a surprisingly fast and agile terrestrial avian predator and is capable of chasing down prey on the forest floor. What little study has been conducted about its breeding habits suggests it nests in a large forest tree, perhaps every other year. The Papuan eagle is probably naturally scarce, but it is under the threat of habitat destruction by deforestation, as well as hunting. Due to its small and declining population, the species has been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.
Region
New Guinea
Typical Environment
Endemic to the island of New Guinea, occurring across both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua in extensive tracts of mature rainforest. It favors primary lowland and hill forests and extends into montane forest where tall trees remain. The species uses the mid- to upper canopy for perching and nesting but frequently hunts within the understory and on the forest floor. It is sensitive to heavy logging and extensive fragmentation but may persist in large blocks of secondary forest if tall trees remain for nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Papuan harpy eagle or New Guinea eagle, it is the island’s top forest raptor and is known for chasing prey along the forest floor—unusual for an eagle. It preys on arboreal marsupials such as cuscuses (“kapul”), as well as birds and reptiles. It nests high in emergent rainforest trees and is naturally scarce, with habitat loss and hunting driving declines.
A Papuan eagle as seen in captivity.
A portrait of the Papuan eagle by William Matthew Hart in The Birds of New Guinea
A caged pair of Papuan eagles seen in Papua New Guinea
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short powerful wingbeats through forest canopy; occasional soaring above ridges
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining large territories in extensive forest. Pairs build a large stick nest high in an emergent tree and likely breed only every other year. Clutch size is usually one, with prolonged parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include clear, carrying whistles and sharp screams, often given from a high perch. Calls can be repeated in series during territory advertisement, with softer whistles used in pair contact.
