1. Introduction
 Harpy Eagles are considered umbrella species and protecting
their vast habitat would not only benefit the conservation of
this species, but also preserve rainforests for other wild flora
and fauna.
 They are found in lowland tropical rainforests with a historical
range of southern Mexico through northeastern Argentina in
elevations no greater than 800 m.1,2
 Despite their charismatic nature, Harpy Eagle reproductive
habitat is poorly understood.
Characteristics of Reproductive Habitat for Harpy
Eagles in Darién Province, Panamá
Jilma Rachel Guinea1, David L. Anderson2, Christopher J.W. McClure2, José de Jesús Vargas2, & F.
Hernán Vargas2
1Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521
2The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 83709
Methods
Darién Province is characterized by the
high diversity of flora and fauna.5
Lowland moist tropical forest with
elevation ranges from 0-1800 m.3,5
Conclusions/Discussion
 Results indicate, forest attributes of reproductive habitat
includes: high taxonomic richness in tree families, variability
in tree heights, and low tree density in all forest strata.
 Forest attributes correspond with the attraction of high prey
diversity, flight enrichment for juveniles, and skillful
maneuverability for hunting.
 New information attained can be used for management policy
and conservation guidelines to ensure population survival.
 Furthermore, safeguarding these top predators promotes the
conservation of rainforest biodiversity.4
Acknowledgements
This project was supported by:
National Science Foundation REU Site Award: Raptor Research DBI-1263167
The Peregrine Fund, World Center for Birds of Prey
Boise State University:
Raptor Research Center
Department of Biological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Division of Research
Literature Cited
1. del Hoyo, et al.1994. Handbook of the birds of the world. New World vultures to guineafowl.
Species account for Harpy Eagle. 2:202.
2. Ferguson-Lee, J. and Christie, D. A. 2001. Raptors of the world. Species account for Harpy
Eagle. 2: 717-719.
3. Gonzales, J.J, and Vargas, F.H. 2011. Nesting density of Harpy Eagles in Darien with
population size estimates for Panama. Journal of Raptor Research. 45:199–210.
4. Terbough,J. 1988. The big things that run the world - A sequel to E. O. Wilson. Conservation
Biology. 2: 402-403.
5. Vargas, J.J., et al.2014. Estructura de la vegetacion del habitat reproductivo del aguila arpia
(Harpia harpyja) en Darien, Panama. In Press.
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Objective
 Infer the qualities of suitable reproductive habitat in Darién
Province, Panamá, on the basis of logistic regression models
ranked by Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC).
Results
 The model receiving the strongest support (ΔAICc ≤ 2.0)
included taxonomic richness, tree height variability, and tree
density.
Positive correlation between nesting probability with variability
in tree height and taxonomic richness in tree families
Negative association between nesting probability and the
increase of tree density
Nesting Tree Control Tree
 Ten nesting trees and ten control trees
with five 0.5-ha plots for each tree5
 Divided tree heights into four quartiles (Q)
• Q1: Low-understory (4-12 m)
• Q2 & Q3:Understory (12-18 m)
• Q4: Canopy/ emergent trees (18-57 m)
Figure 4: An important variable collected during vegetation sampling was
the richness of tree families, and as it increased so did the probability of
finding a nesting pair of Harpy Eagles.
Figure 3: As the variability of tree height increases within a 0.5-ha plot the
probability of finding a nesting pair of Harpy Eagles also increased.
Figure 5: Each tree in a 0.5 ha plot, of control and nest tree site, was counted in the
Darién Province. As the density of trees increased the probability of finding a nesting
pair of Harpy Eagles decreased.
Figure 1: The Pacific Region in Darién Province of
Panamá. Region studied is 35.5% (~ 5,743.45 km2)
of the province. The squares indicate regions
where the study was held.
Figure 2: Forest characteristics collected in
five 0.5-ha plots that were 100 m away
from each of ten nesting and control trees.
Models of Tree Characteristics ΔAICc wi
Family richness with overall density and height
variability
0.00 0.70
Family richness 3.24 0.14
Family richness, density and height variation of
understory and canopy trees
4.35 0.08
Overall height variability and diameter 5.50 0.04
Density of canopy trees 6.66 0.02
Height variation of canopy trees 9.34 0.01
Null 10.45 0.00
Understory density and diameter 12.10 0.00
Understory density 12.97 0.00
Hypotheses Tested