Harpy eagle

Harpies are great at saving precious energy. Harpies hunt in and below the rain forest canopy; they perch silently for hours in a tree, waiting to drop on unsuspecting prey. Flying below the canopy, the birds are capable, in a serious chase, of reaching speeds of 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour). The eagle dives down onto its prey and snatches it with outstretched feet. Its short, broad wings help the Harpy fly almost straight up, so it can attack prey from below as well as above. It can also turn its head upside down to get a better look at its potential meal. These eagles have excellent vision and can see something less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size from almost 220 yards (0.20 km) away.