Pithecophaga – Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagle stands as one of the largest and most powerful forest raptors in the world. Native and endemic to the rainforests of the Philippines, this eagle is not only a symbol of the country’s rich biodiversity but also a beacon of national pride, hence its status as the national bird of the Philippines.

With its impressive brown and white plumage, this eagle exhibits a distinctive and shaggy crest that frames its face, giving it a regal and majestic appearance. The full crown of feathers on its head can be raised or lowered, depending on the bird’s mood and behaviors, such as during courtship or when feeling threatened. The eagle’s piercing eyes and powerful beak add to its formidable visage, a reminder of its status at the top of the forest food chain.

The Philippine Eagle’s size is indeed imposing, with a wingspan that can reach up to 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) and a total body length of approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet). These dimensions make it one of the heaviest and most powerful eagles in the avian world, capable of taking down prey as large as Philippine deer and monkeys. Its talons are especially large and strong, comparable in size to those of a grizzly bear’s, which it uses to grip and incapacitate its prey with lethal efficiency.

Sadly, the Philippine Eagle is classified as “Critically Endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The primary threat to its survival is the extensive habitat loss due to deforestation. Logging, mining, and shifting agriculture have dramatically reduced the eagle’s natural habitat, leaving only an estimated 400 pairs in the wild, scattered across the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Other significant threats include hunting and trapping, pollution, exposure to pesticides that affect their reproductive capacity, and the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems.