Philippine eagle

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Philippine eagle

Conservation status

Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)

Scientific classification
Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Aves

Order:

Accipitriformes

Family:

Accipitridae

Genus:

Pithecophaga

[1]

Ogilvie-Grant, 1896

Species:

P. jefferyi
Binomial name

Pithecophaga jefferyi
Ogilvie-Grant, 1897

Range in blue green

The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is an eagle
of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured
plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and
weighs 4.7 to 8.0 kilograms (10.4 to 17.6 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the
world in terms of length, with the Steller's sea eagle and the harpy eagle being larger in terms of
weight and bulk.[2][3] Among the rarest and most powerfulbirds in the world, it has been declared the
Philippine national bird.[4] It is critically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to
deforestation in most of its range. Killing a Philippine eagle is punishable under Philippine law by 12
years in jail and heavy fines.[5]
Contents
[hide]

1 Taxonomy

1.1 Evolutionary history

2 Description

3 Distribution and habitat

4 Ecology and behavior

o

4.1 Diet

4.2 Reproduction

5 Conservation

6 Relationship with humans

7 See also

8 References

9 External links

Taxonomy[edit]
The first European to discover the species was the English explorer and naturalist John
Whitehead in 1896, who observed the bird and whose servant, Juan, collected the first specimen a
few weeks later.[6] The skin of the bird was sent to William Robert Ogilvie-Grant inLondon in 1896,
who initially showed it off in a local restaurant and described the species a few weeks later.[7]
Upon its discovery, the Philippine eagle was first called the monkey-eating eagle because of reports
from natives of Bonga, Samar, where the species was first discovered, that it preyed exclusively on
monkeys;[8] from these reports it gained its generic name, from the Greekpithecus () ("ape or
monkey") and phagus (-) ("eater of").[9] The specific name commemorates Jeffery Whitehead,
the father of John Whitehead.[7] Later studies revealed, however, that the alleged monkey-eating
eagle also ate other animals, such as colugos,civets, large snakes, monitor lizards, and even large
birds, such as hornbills. This, coupled with the fact that the same name applied to the
African crowned eagle and the Central and South American harpy eagle, resulted in a presidential
proclamation to change its name to Philippine eagle in 1978, and in 1995 was declared a national
emblem. This species has no recognized subspecies.[10]
Apart from Philippine eagle and monkey-eating eagle, it has also been called the great Philippine
eagle. It has numerous names in the many Philippine languages,
including gila ("eagle"), hribon (from haring ibn, "king bird") and banog ("kite").[4][11]

Evolutionary history[edit]
A study of the skeletal features in 1919 led to the suggestion that the nearest relative was the harpy
eagle.[12] The species was included in the subfamily Harpiinae until a 2005 study of DNA sequences
which identified them as not members of the group, finding instead, that the nearest relatives
are snake eagles (Circaetinae), such as the bateleur. The species has subsequently been placed in
the subfamily Circaetinae.[13]

Description[edit]
The Philippine eagle's nape is adorned with long, brown feathers that form a shaggy crest. These
feathers give it the appearance of possessing a lion's mane, which in turn resembles the
mythical griffin. The eagle has a dark face and a creamy-brown nape and crown. The back of the
Philippine eagle is dark brown, while the underside and underwings are white. The heavy legs are
yellow, with large, powerful dark claws, and the prominent large, high-arched, deep beak is a bluishgray. The eagle's eyes are blue-gray. Juveniles are similar to adults except their upperpart feathers
have pale fringes.[14]
The Philippine eagle is typically reported as measuring 86102 cm (2 ft 10 in3 ft 4 in) in total length,
[3][14][15][16]
but a survey of several specimens from some of the largest natural history collections in the
world found the average was 95 cm (3 ft 1 in) for males and 105 cm (3 ft 5 in) for females.[17] Based
on the latter measurements, this makes it the longest extant species of eagle, as the average for the
female equals the maximum reported for theharpy eagle[16] and Steller's sea eagle.[3] The longest
Philippine eagle reported anywhere and the longest eagle outside of the extinct Haast's eagle is
a specimen from Field Museum of Natural History (FMNH) with a length of 112 cm (3 ft 8 in), but it
had been kept in captivity[2] so may not represent the wild individuals due to differences in the food
availability.[18][19] The level of sexual dimorphism in size is not certain, but the male is believed to be
typically about 10% smaller than the female,[3] and this is supported by the average length provided
for males and females in one source.[17] In many of the other large eagle species, the size difference
between adult females and males can exceed 20%. [3] For adult Philippine eagles, the complete
weight range has been reported as 4.7 to 8 kg (10 to 18 lb),[3][20][21] while others have found the
average was somewhat lower than the above range would indicate, at 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) for males and
6 kg (13 lb) for females.[17] One male (age not specified) was found to weigh 4.04 kg (8.9 lb).[22] The
Philippine eagle has a wingspan of 184 to 220 cm (6 ft 0 in to 7 ft 3 in) and a wing chord length of
57.461.4 cm (22.624.2 in).[3][23] The maximum reported weight is surpassed by two other eagles
(the harpy and Steller's sea eagle) and the wings are shorter than large eagles of open country
(such as the white-tailed eagle, Steller's sea eagle, martial eagleor wedge-tailed eagle), but are quite
broad.[3] The tarsus of the Philippine eagle ties as the longest of any eagle from 12.2 to 14.5 cm (4.8
to 5.7 in) long, which is about the same length as that of the much smaller but relatively longlegged New Guinea eagle.[3] The very large but laterally compressed bill rivals the size of the Steller's
sea eagle's as the largest bill for an extant eagle. Its bill averages 7.22 cm (2.84 in) in length from
the gape.[2] The tail is fairly long at 4245.3 cm (16.517.8 in) in length,[3] while another source lists a
tail length of 50 cm (20 in).[24]
The most frequently heard noises made by the Philippine eagle are loud, high-pitched whistles
ending with inflections in pitch.[25] Additionally, juveniles have been known to beg for food by a series
of high-pitched calls.[14]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

The Philippine eagle is endemic to the Philippines and can be found on four major islands:
eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. The largest number of eagles reside on Mindanao,
with between 82 and 233 breeding pairs. Only six pairs are found on Samar, two on Leyte, and a few
on Luzon. It can be found in Northern Sierra Madre National Parkon Luzon and Mount Apo, Mount
Malindang and Mount Kitanglad National Parks on Mindanao.[7][26]
This eagle is found in dipterocarp and mid-montane forests, particularly in steep areas. Its elevation
ranges from the lowlands to mountains of over 1,800 metres (5,900 ft). Only an estimated
9,220 km2 (2,280,000 acres) of old-growth forest remain in the bird's range. [7] However, its total
estimated range is about 146,000 km2 (56,000 sq mi).[14]

Ecology and behavior[edit]

Illustration of a bird kept in captivity in London in 19091910

Evolution in the Philippine islands, without other predators, made the eagles the dominant hunter in
the Philippine forests. Each breeding pair requires a large home range to successfully raise a chick,
thus the species is extremely vulnerable to deforestation. Earlier, theterritory has been estimated at
about 100 km2 (39 sq mi), but a study on Mindanao Island found the nearest distance between
breeding pairs to be about 13 km (8.1 mi) on average, resulting in a circular plot of
133 km2 (51 sq mi).[27]
The species' flight is fast and agile, resembling the smaller hawks more than similar large birds of
prey.[28]
Juveniles in play behavior have been observed gripping knotholes in trees with their talons and,
using their tails and wings for balance, inserting their heads into tree cavities. [29] Additionally, they
have been known to attack inanimate objects for practice, as well as attempt to hang upside down to
work on their balance.[29] As the parents are not nearby when this occurs, they apparently do not play
a role in teaching the juvenile to hunt.[29]
Life expectancy for a wild eagle is estimated to be from 30 to 60 years. A captive Philippine eagle
lived for 41 years in Rome Zoo, and it was already adult when it arrived at the zoo.[29] However, wild
birds on average are believed to live shorter lives than captive birds. [29]

Diet[edit]
The Philippine eagle was known initially as the Philippine monkey-eating eagle because it was
believed to feed on monkeys (the only monkey native to the Philippines is thePhilippine long-tailed
macaque) almost exclusively; this has proven to be inaccurate. This may be because the first
examined specimen was found to have undigested pieces of a monkey in its stomach. [30] Like most
predators, the Philippine eagle is an opportunist that takes prey based on its local level of
abundance and ease.[30] It is the apex predator in its range.
Prey specimens found at the eagle's nest have ranged in size from a small bat weighing 10 g
(0.35 oz) to a Philippine deer weighing 14 kg (31 lb).[30] The primary prey varies from island to island
depending on species availability, particularly in Luzon and Mindanao, because the islands are in
different faunal regions. For example, the tree squirrel-sizedPhilippine flying lemurs, the preferred
prey in Mindanao, are absent in Luzon.[7] The primary prey for the eagles seen in Luzon
are monkeys, birds, flying foxes, giant cloud-ratsPhloeomys pallidus which can weigh twice as much
as flying lemurs at 2 to 2.5 kg (4.4 to 5.5 lb), and reptiles such as large snakes and lizards.[31] The
flying lemur could make up an estimated 90% of the raptor's diet in some locations. [28] While the
eagles generally seem to prefer flying lemurs where available, most other animals found in the
Philippines, short of adult ungulates and humans, may be taken as prey. This can include Asian
palm civets (12% of the diet in Mindanao), macaques, flying squirrels, tree squirrels, fruit bats,rats,
birds (owls and hornbills), reptiles (snakes and monitor lizards), and even other birds of prey.[7][28]
[30]
They have been reported to capture young pigs and small dogs.[28]
Philippine eagles primarily use two hunting techniques. One is still-hunting, in which it watches for
prey activity while sitting almost motionlessly on a branch near the canopy. The other is perch-

hunting, which entails periodically gliding from one perch to another. While perch-hunting, they often
work their way gradually down from the canopy on down the branches and, if not successful in find
prey in their initial foray, will fly or circle back up to the top of the trees to work them again. Eagles in
Mindanao often find success using the latter method while hunting flying lemurs, since they are
nocturnal animals which try to use camouflage to protect them by day.[3] Eagle pairs sometimes hunt
troops of monkey cooperatively, with one bird perching nearby to distract the primates, allowing the
other to swoop in from behind, hopefully unnoticed, for the kill.[3][28] Since the native macaque is often
around the same size as the eagle itself, at approximately 9 kg (20 lb) in adult males, it is a
potentially hazardous prey, and eagles have been reported to suffer broken leg due from a fall after
struggling and fell along with a large male monkey.[30]

Reproduction[edit]

A Philippine eagle nestling

The complete breeding cycle of the Philippine eagle lasts two years. The female matures sexually at
five years of age and the male at seven. Like most eagles, the Philippine eagle is monogamous.
Once paired, a couple remains together for the rest of their lives.[6] If one dies, the remaining eagle
often searches for a new mate to replace the one lost.[29]
The beginning of courtship is signaled by nest-building, and the eagle remaining near its nest. Aerial
displays also play a major role in the courtship. These displays include paired soaring over a nesting
territory, the male chasing the female in a diagonal dive, and mutual talon presentation, where the
male presents his talons to the female's back and she flips over in midair to present her own talons.
Advertisement displays coupled with loud calling have also been reported. The willingness of an
eagle to breed is displayed by the eagle bringing nesting materials to the bird's nest. Copulation
follows and occurs repeatedly both on the nest and on nearby perches. The earliest courtship has
been reported in July.[29]
Breeding season is in July; birds on different islands, most notably Mindanao and Luzon, begin
breeding at different ends of this range.[6]The amount of rainfall and population of prey may also
affect the breeding season.[6] The nest is normally built on an emergent dipterocarp, or any tall tree
with an open crown, in primary or disturbed forest. The nests are lined with green leaves, and can be
around 1.5 m (4.9 ft) across. The nesting location is around 30 m (98 ft) or even more above the
ground.[7][28] As in many other large raptors, the eagle's nest resembles a huge platform made of
sticks.[3][28] The eagle frequently reuses the same nesting site for several different chicks. [7] Eight to 10
days before the egg is ready to be laid, the female is afflicted with a condition known as egg lethargy.
In this experience, the female does not eat, drinks lots of water, and holds her wings droopingly.
[29]
The female typically lays one egg in the late afternoon or at dusk, although occasionally two have
been reported.[28][29] If an egg fails to hatch or the chick dies early, the parents will likely lay another
egg the following year. Copulation may last a few days after the egg is laid to enable another egg to
be laid should the first one fail. The egg is incubated for 58 to 68 days (typically 62 days) after being
laid.[3] Both sexes participate in the incubation, but the female does the majority of incubating during
the day and all of it at night.[29]

Both sexes help feed the newly hatched eaglet. Additionally, the parents have been observed taking
turns shielding the eaglet from the sun and rain until it is seven weeks old. [29]The young eaglet
fledges after four or five months.[28] The earliest an eagle has been observed making a kill is 304
days after hatching.[29] Both parents take care of the eaglet for a total of 20 months and, unless the
previous nesting attempt had failed, the eagles can breed only in alternate years. [3][6] The Philippine
eagle rivals two other large tropical eagles, namely the crowned eagle and harpy eagle, for having
the longest breeding cycle of any bird of prey.[3][32] Even nests have no predators other than humans,
as even known nest predators such as palm civets and macaques (being prey species) are likely to
actively avoid any area with regular eagle activity.[33]

Conservation[edit]

A Philippine eagle named Sir Arny, at Philippine eagle Center, Davao City

In 2010, the IUCN and BirdLife International listed this species as critically endangered.[1]
[14]
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature believes between 180 and 500 Philippine
eagles survive in the Philippines.[6] They are threatened primarily by deforestation through logging
and expanding agriculture. Old-growth forest is being lost at a high rate, and most of the forest in the
lowlands is owned by logging companies.[7] Mining, pollution, exposure to pesticides that affect
breeding, and poaching are also major threats.[5][6] Additionally, they are occasionally caught in traps
laid by local people for deer. Though this is no longer a major problem, the eagle's numbers were
also reduced by being captured for zoos.[6]
The diminishing numbers of the Philippine eagle were first brought to international attention in 1965
by the noted Filipino ornithologistDioscoro S. Rabor, and the director of the Parks and Wildlife
Office, Jesus A. Alvarez.[34][35][36] Charles Lindbergh, best known for crossing the Atlantic alone and
without stopping in 1927, was fascinated by this eagle. As a representative of the World Wildlife
Fund, Lindbergh traveled to the Philippines several times between 1969 and 1972, where he helped
persuade the government to protect the eagle. In 1969, the Monkey-eating Eagle Conservation
Program was started to help preserve this species. In 1992, the first Philippine eagles were born in
captivity through artificial insemination; however, not until 1999 was the first naturally bred eaglet
hatched. The first captive-bred bird to be released in the wild, Kabayan, was released in 2004 on
Mindanao; however, he was accidentally electrocuted in January 2005. Another eagle, Kagsabua,
was released March 6, 2008, but was shot and eaten by a farmer.[6] Killing this critically endangered
species is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fines. [5]

A wood carving of a Philippine eagle

Its numbers have slowly dwindled over the decades to the current population of 180 to 500 eagles. A
series of floods and mud slides, caused by deforestation, further devastated the remaining
population. The Philippine eagle may soon no longer be found in the wild, unless direct intervention
is taken. The Philippine Eagle Foundation in Davao City, Philippines is one organization dedicated to
the protection and conservation of the Philippine eagle and its forest habitat. The Philippine Eagle
Foundation has successfully bred Philippine eagles in captivity for over a decade and conducted the
first experimental release of a captive-bred eagle to the wild. The foundation has 35 eagles at its
center, of which 18 were bred in captivity.[6] Ongoing research on behavior, ecology, and population
dynamics is also underway. In recent years, protected lands have been established specifically for
this species, such as the 700 km2 (170,000 acres) of Cabuaya Forest and the 37.2 square kilometers
(9,200 acres) of Taft Forest Wildlife Sanctuary on Samar.[37] However, a large proportion of the
population is found on unprotected land.[6]

Relationship with humans[edit]

The Philippine eagle was officially declared the national bird of the Philippines on 4 July 1995 by
President Fidel V. Ramos under Proclamation No. 615.[38] This eagle, because of its size and rarity, is
also a highly desired bird for birdwatchers.[28]
The Philippine eagle has also featured on at least 12 stamps from the Philippines, with dates ranging
from 1967 to 2007. It was also depicted on the 50-centavo coins minted from 1981 to 1994.
Historically, about 50 Philippine eagles have been kept in zoos in Europe (England,
Germany, Belgium, Italy and France), the United States, andJapan.[39] The first was a female that
arrived in London Zoo in August 1909[39] and died there in February 1910.[40] The majority arrived in
zoos between 1947 and 1965.[39] The last outside the Philippines died in 1988 in the Antwerp Zoo,
where it had lived since 1964 (except for a period at the Planckendael Zoo in Belgium).[39] The first
captive breeding was only achieved in 1992 at the facility of the Philippine Eagle Foundation in
Davao City, Philippines, which has bred it several times since then. [6][41]
The Philippine eagle is also used in sporting events as a mascot, most notably in the 2005
Southeast Asian Games held in Manila known as "Gilas". The Philippine eagle is also the animal
used in the Philippines men's national basketball team or Gilas Pilipinas' logo/team crest