Crested Eagle Morphnus guianensis

A huge, rare eagle, found in large swaths of mature lowland and foothill forests through much of Central and South America. Always rare and infrequently seen; any day with a Crested Eagle deserves a gold star. Light morph adults are dark gray above and whitish below with a gray head and breast and barred belly. Dark morph is very rare and is dark gray overall with white barring on belly. The similar Harpy Eagle (which does not have a dark morph) has a more contrasting black chest and lacks barring on the belly. Juvenile Crested Eagle is mostly white with darker wings; separated from Harpy Eagle by slightly smaller size and slimmer shape. Most often seen perched in the canopy of mature lowland forest, but occasionally soars.