Harpy eagle recorded for the first time in Valle del Cauca

Birdwatchers have documented the first recorded sighting of a harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) in the Valle del Cauca department of Colombia. The sighting occurred in the San Cipriano and Escalerete National Protective Forest Reserve in Buenaventura.

Observers from the Valle del Cauca Birdwatcher Clubs Network captured photographs and videos of the specimen, which were later confirmed by specialists. The presence of this apex predator, which can reach a wingspan of approximately two meters, is considered a significant indicator of the health and conservation status of the local ecosystem, as the species requires large, mature forests to survive.

Previously, documented sightings of the harpy eagle in Colombia were primarily concentrated in the Chocó, Amazon, and Orinoquia regions. The CVC has urged visitors to engage in responsible birdwatching to ensure the animal is not disturbed or forced to abandon its territory.