The Philippine eagle is one of the most well-known birds of the Philippines. It is the *world’s largest eagle with an average height of 1 meter and an average weight of 6 kilograms. It has a wingspan of 2 meters which is the largest for its kind. With such a built, it preys on large mammals such as monkeys and civets as well as on large birds like the hornbills and crows. In fact, it is known as the monkey-eating eagle and it is one of the rare types of eagles that feeds on monkeys. It is also one of the most threatened species and it is listed as a critically endangered bird.
Pithecophaga jefferyi, which is the scientific name of the Philippine eagle, is an animal endemic to the Philippines. The original habitat of the eagle was the rainforest of the Old Philippines. It was thought that they were once widespread throughout the islands of the Old Philippines. Today, they can be found only in Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and a few parts of Luzon where there are forest areas. Estimates of the **eagle’s population range from a minimum of 100 individuals to a maximum of 500 individuals.
The loss of habitat is the primary reason for the decline in the number of Philippine eagle. The continuous destruction of the forest remains as the single most important factor that threatens the existence of the eagle. This situation is aggravated by the eagle’s breeding and mating behavior. Philippine eagles are monogamous and they live together for the rest of their lives. They breed every two years. The female lays only one egg and the couple has to take care of the chick for 20 months.
Once fully grown, the chick will look like a powerful bird of prey, which it is. Its massive beak and eyes are bluish gray in color and its head is adorned with light brown crown feathers which complement the dark brown feathers of the upper-side of its body. The lower-side of the body is covered with buffy white feathers. Its thigh and legs are covered with reddish brown feathers, its legs have a yellow color and its talons are black. It is the *world’s largest eagle, it is majestic and it is one of the national symbols of the Philippines.
The need to protect and preserve the Philippine eagle cannot be overemphasized. The loss of the species will be a tragedy for the scientific community, a tragedy for the Philippines and a tragedy for humanity.
Facts about the Philippine Eagle
Conservation Status | Critically endangered |
| Scientific Name | Pithecophaga jefferyi |
| Type of Bird | Raptor or bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family |
| Physical Characteristics | Height: Approximately one (1) meter Wingspan: Approximately two (2) meters |
| Range | Endemic to the Philippines; Found in forest areas of Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and Luzon; Almost extinct in Luzon |
| Habitat | Primary dipterocarp forest |
| Population | Between 100 to **1000+ individuals (2010) |
| Threat | Destruction of the forest |
*Some experts say it is one of the largest eagles in the world.
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