Strongest bird of prey

The bird of prey capable of killing and carry away the largest animal is the female harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), which in spite of its weight of up to 9 kg (20 lb) can manage to hunt animals of equal or superior size.

The harpy eagle has the heaviest and stoutest legs of any bird of prey and the female's lower legs may be as large in diameter as a child's wrist. The toes can span 23 cm (9 in) and talons up to 12.5 cm (5 in) have been reported. Females are much larger than males. As it swoops down upon its victims at speeds of 32 km/h (20 mph), the harpy eagle generates energy approximate to 2,258 joules (1,665 ft-lb) – equivalent to almost three times the muzzle energy of a bullet shot from a .357 Magnum handgun. Some of its heaviest victims include howler monkeys and sloths.