What is the scientific name of the Philippine Eagle?
Pithecophaga jefferyi
Why is the Philippine Eagle considered critically endangered?
Due to habitat loss, deforestation, hunting, and low reproductive rates.
What is the primary habitat of the Philippine Eagle?
It lives mainly in the tropical rainforests of the Philippines, especially in the islands of Mindanao, Luzon, Samar, and Leyte.
What is the average wingspan of a Philippine Eagle?
About 6 to 7 feet (approximately 1.8 to 2.1 meters).
What kind of diet does the Philippine Eagle have?
It is a carnivore, feeding on monkeys, flying lemurs (colugos), snakes, birds, and other small to medium-sized animals.
How long does it take for a Philippine Eagle chick to fledge?
Around 4 to 5 months before it can fly.
What is the significance of the Philippine Eagle in Philippine culture or national identity?
It is the national bird of the Philippines and symbolizes strength, power, and the country’s unique biodiversity.
How many years can a Philippine Eagle live in the wild?
Approximately 30 to 60 years.
What are the main threats facing the Philippine Eagle today?
Habitat destruction, illegal logging, hunting, and low reproductive rate.
What conservation efforts are currently in place to protect the Philippine Eagle?
Protected areas, captive breeding programs, habitat restoration, community education, and legal protection by the Philippine government.
The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, is a critically endangered bird of prey native to the Philippines. It is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world and is considered the national bird of the Philippines.
Key Facts about the Philippine Eagle:
- Scientific Name: Pithecophaga jefferyi
- Size: It can grow up to 86 cm (34 inches) in length, with a wingspan of about 2 meters (6.6 feet).
- Weight: Typically weighs between 4.5 to 8 kg (10 to 18 lbs).
- Appearance: It has a distinctive crest of long feathers on its head, brown and white mottled plumage, and powerful talons.
- Habitat: Prefers dense, mature forests in the mountains of Luzon, Leyte, Mindanao, and Samar islands.
- Diet: Feeds primarily on monkeys, large birds, flying lemurs, snakes, and other small mammals.
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and deforestation.
- Breeding: Philippine Eagles are monogamous and have a slow reproductive rate, typically raising one chick every two years.
Interesting Facts:
- It’s sometimes called the “Monkey-eating Eagle” because monkeys were once thought to be its primary prey.
- The Philippine Eagle has a very low population, with fewer than 400 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
- It plays a vital role as an apex predator in its ecosystem, helping maintain the balance of the forest environment.