Crested Eagle
Morphnus guianensis
The crested eagle is a large Neotropical eagle, and the only member of the genus Morphnus. The crested eagle can grow up to 89 cm (35 in) long, with a wingspan up to 176 cm (69 in), and weigh up to 3 kg (6.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_eagle
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Accipitriformes
Family
Accipitridae
Genus
Morphnus
Crested Eagle belongs to the family Accipitridae, order Accipitriformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The crested eagle is a large Neotropical eagle, and the only member of the genus Morphnus. The crested eagle can grow up to 89 cm (35 in) long, with a wingspan up to 176 cm (69 in), and weigh up to 3 kg (6.6 lb). The plumage varies between a light brownish-gray to sooty gray or even blackish in some cases. It has a white throat and a dark spot on the crest and a small dark mask across the eyes. It ranges extensively throughout Central and South America, but not in large numbers. favoring tropical lowland forest. A powerful predator, its diet consist mainly of small mammals, rodents, snakes and smaller birds. Despite their large distribution, they are currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, due mainly to habitat loss
The Crested Eagle faces significant pressure from widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation across its Neotropical range, as large tracts of primary forest are converted for agriculture, logging, and development. As a large raptor requiring extensive territories and mature forest canopy for hunting, this species is particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation that reduces prey availability and suitable nesting sites.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits primary and mature secondary tropical rainforests from sea level to 1,400m elevation, preferring dense canopy cover in both terra firme and várzea forests. Requires large territories with minimal human disturbance for successful breeding and foraging.
Threats
Agricultural expansion
Deforestation and logging
Habitat fragmentation
Human disturbance at nest sites
Prey depletion from hunting pressure
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Crested Eagle (Morphnus guianensis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/crested-eagle