Harpy Eagles (Brazil’s Southern Amazon)

Alex Burridge
MD South America Travel Centre May 2026

For any of you that have read our newsletters over the years they perhaps recall me being referred to by some as a wildlife freak (I take it as a positive 😊). For many years I’ve wanted to see a Harpy Eagle (one of the largest eagles in the world – 2020 I was all ready to go and none of us need reminding what happened.. Finally in April 2026 – I set off to Brazil’s southern Amazon.

Harpy Eagle nest tree (Brazil nut) Brazil’s southern Amazon

Canopy Tower built close to Harpy Nest tree

Harpy Nest Tree (morning)

My chances were good – a Harpy Eagle nest with eggs had been found and three weeks before I set off I was informed that a chick had hatched (only ever 1 chick ever survives).

The operator says ‘guaranteed’ and I don’t like to use that term – as very little in life is guaranteed (we know the two; taxes and….).

After flying from Santiago to Sao Paolo and onto Cuiaba and the next day to Alta Floresta on the edge of Brazil’s southern Amazon, a three hour drive and I arrive at the simple but comfortable lodge/accommodation.  It’s raining, April is the start or the dry season (or the end of the rainy season – look at it how you will).  I was a little ‘grumpy’…  the rain eased and it seemed irrespective of the rain it was off to the Harpy Nest site..  The rain stopped, and a short walk from the path and the tower, purpose built to give excellent views of the nest, is in front of me…  I’m not the best with heights, as I get higher on the 28-metre-high tower I take a firmer grip before taking the next set of stairs (and keep reminding myself to not look down), as I get higher the canopy narrows which makes you (me) feel a little more exposed…  Only one  option – up (the option of going down after many years of hoping to see a Harpy says going down is really not an option), I keep climbing, a little more carefully..  I get to the top, and staying back from the edge, I look across and have my first views of a Harpy Eagle… worth every moment to get there (including the climb).  At first I only see the massive female, then the 4 week old chick appears.. priceless, more than that, magical.

We watch as the sun goes down, a group of Grey woolly monkeys comes within view, the light isn’t great for photography – and who cares….I’ve seen a Harpy Eagle.

The next morning, it’s raining, again, I am a little disheartened – and we’re still off to the nest site.  The rain ceases, the sun come out – it’s a magical morning in Brazil’s southern Amazon.  The female (the male only returns to the nest with food; smaller monkeys and armadillos being favoured prey, though they take a wide range of prey including macaws – which I just learned – and it now makes sense as to why macaws would circle the nest tree and alarm call) has been at the nest for over 2 months and it appears she’s starting to get a little restless.

At first a few flaps of her powerful wings, then she’s hanging upside down trying to break a branch off of the Brazil nut tree the nest is in.  Apparently, so my local guide tells me, they are tough trees, so next she flies to a nearby tree, successfully remove a branch and flies back to the nest.

From the canopy tower we see dozens of birds species including: blue and yellow, scarlet, red & green and chestnut fronted macaws, several species of woodpecker, the stunningly beautiful paradise tanager.  As well as woolly and brown capuchin monkeys.

In the next edition I’ll discuss Brazil’s Southern Amazon & Pantanal, options as to how to visit as well as the best time to go (which isn’t April – that’s really the best (only) time to see an adult Harpy at the nest site).

In many ways this is an extreme example of how we can tailor your South America holiday to fit your specific interests – Please call 1300 784 794 to speak with one of our specialist consultants to create a journey that caters for your particular interests.

Female Harpy returning to nest with new material