News

March 2007:  Harpy Eagle Update

During the Kitlers AFC Flag Expedition (www.artistsforconservation.org/programs/flag-expeditions) follow-up trip to Panama in February 2007, they wanted to re-visit the Harpy Eagle nesting site where they had spent so much time 14 months earlier.  The then-chick should be around 18 months old and, although it might still be dependent on its parents for food, those feeding visits would likely be a week or more apart.  David and Ly were not holding any hope of actually seeing the birds...

The visit to the nest provided more information about the Harpy Eagle's diet, in the form of bone fragments, claws, and bits of fur that were found at the base of the nest tree.  The tree looked quite different, as the nest itself was gone.  According to the native guide that accompanied them, strong winds had recently toppled several of the smaller trees in the area, and also blew away all of the nesting material from the tree.  They took a moment to photograph and document the current state of the area.

They were already half-way down the hill, heading towards the trail that would take them out of the jungle, when they heard the familiar call.  It was hard to believe, but the juvenile Harpy Eagle was back!  It had flown in, landing on a nearby tree, and was calling to be fed.  After moving around with some difficulty in the dense jungle floor, the Kitlers were able to find a good vantage point from which to photograph the handsome juvenile "their" little chick had turned into.  The Harpy Eagle will not get its final colouring until it is about 5 years old, so in this photo you will notice the much lighter grays of the juvenile's plumage.

What a treat! And how hard it was to turn away and leave...  If reality was not calling for them to get back home, David and Ly would surely have loved to spend another month in that spot...

About AFC Flag Expeditions

The AFC Flag Expeditions Program is a unique program established and operated by the Artists for Conservation Foundation.  The Program makes possible the field study and artistic rendering of endangered species and habitats deserving of greater public attention, with a strong emphasis on the study of unique, threatened habitats, and rare or endangered species in remote parts of the world.  AFC Signature Members can apply for support and the privilege of carrying the flag of this exclusive group of distinguished artists on their journey.  For more information about the AFC Flag Expeditions Program, visit www.artistsforconservation.org/programs/flag-expeditions.