Rarest harpy eagle

The rarest species of harpy eagle is the New Guinea (Papuan) harpy eagle Harpyopsis novaeguineae. The only member of its genus, and endemic to New Guinea's tropical rainforests – where it is the top predator – this spectacular species is categorized as Vulnerable by the IUCN. In terms of estimated numbers still existing, it is included by the IUCN within its 3,500–15,000 individuals category, but its population is deemed to be decreasing, a decline caused by hunting and habitat loss.

Three true species of harpy eagle are currently recognized – the South American harpy Harpia harypyja, the New Guinea species and the South American crested eagle Morphnus guianensis.

Three other species of harpy-like eagles formerly classed as true harpies – the Philippine eagle and the two species of South American solitary eagle – are now deemed by genetic analyses to be more closely related to other eagle types, with their harpy-like appearance now considered to be a result of convergent evolution, i.e., developing similar morphologies as a result of inhabiting comparable ecological niches.