arpía

Arpía is a term with several related meanings in Spanish. In classical and literary contexts it denotes the harpy, a mythic creature from Greek and Roman myth. In zoology, arpía is the Spanish name for the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), one of the largest raptors of the Americas. The word is also used figuratively to describe a predatory or cruel woman.

In mythology, harpies are wind spirits typically depicted as female-bodied birds with human faces. They are associated with storms, theft, and punishment. In Hesiod’s Theogony they are described as sisters, commonly named Aello, Celaeno, and Ocypete, who later legends and authors expanded in description and role. In Roman and later traditions they are often portrayed as fearsome beings that seize people or souls and carry out divine punishment.

The harpy eagle, or arpía, is a large raptor native to tropical forests of the Americas, from Mexico to Argentina. Females are larger than males. It has a robust build, broad wings, and a powerful bill, and it preys on arboreal mammals such as sloths and howler monkeys, as well as other large vertebrates. It typically nests in large trees and requires extensive forest habitat. Habitat loss and deforestation have affected its populations, and the species is considered Near Threatened to Vulnerable across parts of its range, depending on local assessments.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from Latin harpia, from Greek harpyiai. In contemporary Spanish, arpía also functions as a metaphor for a predatory or unscrupulous woman, a usage common in literature, journalism, and everyday speech.

In culture, arpía persists as a motif in myth-inspired fantasy and as a vivid figure in language, reflecting both the mythic image of a dangerous creature and the real-world presence of the harpy eagle.