Why seeing the Harpy Eagle with its chick is so important!

Traveling to Panama to see the harpy eagle will be more than a wildlife trip—it will be an education in ecology, conservation, and shared curiosity, experienced within an all-women group of travelers. Deep in the lowland rainforests, we will learn why the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is considered one of the most powerful raptors in the world. With a wingspan that can exceed two meters and talons larger than a grizzly bear’s claws, this apex predator will demonstrate its critical role in maintaining forest balance by preying on arboreal mammals such as sloths and monkeys. Observing one in its natural habitat will make the scale and intelligence of this bird tangible in a way no book or documentary ever could.

One of the most profound moments of the trip will come when we see a harpy eagle chick in its nest. High in an emergent tree, the massive nest will offer a rare window into the species’ slow and vulnerable life cycle. We will learn that harpy eagles typically raise only one chick every two to three years, investing extraordinary time and energy into its development. Watching the downy chick—entirely dependent on its parents and the surrounding forest—will underscore how sensitive the species is to disturbance and habitat loss, and why long-term protection of nesting sites is essential for their survival.

A local guide will help us understand the eagle’s close relationship with intact rainforest ecosystems. Harpy eagles will be shown to require large, continuous tracts of mature forest for nesting, often building massive nests high in emergent trees. Because of this dependency, they will be described as an indicator species: protecting harpy eagles will also protect countless other plants and animals that rely on healthy forest systems. In Panama, we will learn how conservation programs work with local communities to monitor nests, reduce deforestation, and transform perceptions—from fear of the eagle to pride in living alongside a national symbol of biodiversity.

Experiencing this journey as an all-women group will add another meaningful layer. We will share questions, field notes, early mornings, and quiet moments of awe beneath the canopy. The trip will remind us that conservation is strengthened by inclusion and education, and that women—whether scientists, guides, or travelers—will continue to play a vital role in protecting wildlife. When we leave Panama, we will carry home not just memories of a rare and majestic bird, but a deeper understanding of how knowledge, community, and conservation are inseparably connected.