Philippine eagle

The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is a critically endangered bird of prey. It belongs to the family Accipitridae. This species is endemic to the Philippines, meaning it is found nowhere else on Earth.

The eagle is a national emblem of the Philippines. It is even featured on the country's one thousand-peso note. Because its population is declining, the IUCN Red List classifies it as critically endangered. It is considered one of the most endangered raptors in the world.

Physically, the Philippine eagle is a massive and striking bird. It possesses a shaggy, mane-like crest of long brown feathers on its nape. Its plumage consists of brown and white colors. The eagle has a dark face and a creamy-brown crown. Its eyes are a distinct blue-gray. The beak is large, high-arched, and bluish-gray.

The eagle's legs are yellow and heavy. It has powerful, dark claws for hunting. In terms of length, it is the largest extant eagle in the world. Only the Steller's sea eagle and the Harpy eagle are larger in terms of bulk and weight.

Size differences between males and females are a known trait in many birds. In the Philippine eagle, the male is believed to be about 10% smaller than the female. This is a smaller difference than in other large eagle species, where the gap can exceed 20%. The weight of an adult can range from 3.5 to 8 kilograms.

The eagle has a wingspan of 1 to 1.2 meters. Its wings are quite broad, though shorter than eagles that live in open country. The eagle's tarsus, or lower leg, is the longest of any eagle. Its bill is also very large and laterally compressed.

History shows how our understanding of this bird has changed over time. The English explorer John Whitehead first studied the species in 1896. His servant, Juan, collected the first specimen. This specimen was sent to William Robert Ogilvie-Grant in London.

Originally, it was called the "monkey-eating eagle." This name came from reports that it preyed exclusively on monkeys. The scientific name Pithecophaga comes from Greek words meaning "monkey eater." However, scientists later discovered the eagle eats many other animals. In 1978, President Ferdinand Marcos renamed it the Philippine eagle. In 1995, President Fidel V. Ramos declared it a national emblem.

Evolutionary studies have also shifted our view of the eagle's family tree. A 1919 study suggested it was closely related to the Harpy eagle. For a long time, it was placed in the subfamily Harpiinae. However, a 2005 DNA study changed this classification. The study found that its nearest relatives are actually snake eagles, such as the bateleur. Because of this, the species is now placed in the subfamily Circaetinae. This shows how modern technology like DNA sequencing helps scientists understand the history of life.

The eagle is an apex predator, meaning it sits at the top of its food chain. It is an opportunistic hunter that eats what is available. While it does eat monkeys, it often prefers flying lemurs. In Mindanao, flying lemurs can make up 90% of its diet.

It also eats colugos, large snakes, and monitor lizards. It can even take prey as large as a Philippine deer. In Luzon, it may eat Northern Luzon giant cloud rats. This diet helps maintain the balance of the forest ecosystem.

Survival for the Philippine eagle is difficult due to its specific habitat needs. They live in dipterocarp and mid-montane forests. These forests are often located in steep areas. They can live in lowlands or in mountains over 1,000 meters high.

The eagles are found on the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Mindanao holds the largest population, with 82 to 233 breeding pairs. The biggest threat to the species is habitat loss from deforestation. Only about 10% of the old-growth forest remains in its range. Protecting these forests is vital for the eagle's continued existence.