Species Profile
Philippine Eagle
Pithecophaga jefferyi
Quick Facts
Conservation
CRCritically EndangeredAlso known as: Monkey-eating Eagle, Great Philippine Eagle
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Appearance
The Philippine Eagle is a massive raptor with a dark face, pale brown nape, and creamy-white underparts.
Its most striking feature is a shaggy crest of long, brown feathers that gives it a distinctive silhouette. The powerful hooked beak and large yellow talons are adapted for hunting.
Adults have similar plumage, with no significant differences between sexes. Juveniles are paler overall, with a white-edged brown crest and less defined facial markings. The bird's plumage remains consistent year-round.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Yellow
Markings
Large, powerful build, long crown feathers
Tail: Long, wide and dark colored
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Philippine Eagles are endemic to the Philippines, inhabiting the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. They require large tracts of primary tropical rainforest, preferring undisturbed areas with tall trees for nesting and hunting.
These eagles are non-migratory, maintaining year-round territories. Their range has significantly decreased due to deforestation, with the largest remaining populations found in the eastern Mindanao mountains.
Distribution
Diet
Philippine Eagles primarily hunt mammals, including flying lemurs, monkeys, and palm civets. They also prey on other birds, snakes, and lizards.
These versatile hunters use their powerful talons to snatch prey from trees or the ground, often carrying large animals back to their nests.
Behaviour
Philippine Eagles are solitary and territorial, with pairs maintaining large home ranges. They soar gracefully on thermals, using their keen eyesight to spot prey.
These birds are known for their silent, stealthy hunting technique, often perching motionless for hours before swooping down on unsuspecting prey.
Calls & Sounds
Philippine Eagles have a range of vocalisations, including high-pitched whistles and a distinctive whinnying call that sounds like 'wee-ahh, wee-ahh.'
During the breeding season, pairs engage in duets, with males producing rapid, staccato notes and females responding with longer, drawn-out calls.
Nesting & Breeding
Philippine Eagles form monogamous pairs that mate for life. The breeding season typically begins in September and can last until February. Courtship involves aerial displays and vocalisations to strengthen pair bonds.
Nests are massive structures built high in emergent trees, often over 30 meters above the ground. The female lays a single white egg, which both parents incubate for about 60 days.
After hatching, the chick remains in the nest for 4-5 months before fledging. Parents continue to care for the young eagle for up to 17 months, one of the longest dependency periods among birds.
Conservation
The Philippine Eagle faces critical endangerment due to habitat loss from deforestation and hunting.
Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, captive breeding programs, and community education to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Strict laws now protect this species, but enforcement remains challenging in remote areas.
Population
Estimated: 180 - 500 mature individuals[4]
Trend: Decreasing[3]
Continued threats from habitat loss and hunting
Elevation
150 to 1,800 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 7cm x 5.5cm
- Predators:
- Adult Philippine Eagles have no natural predators, but their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to other large birds of prey and arboreal mammals.
- Alarm calls:
- Loud, high-pitched whistle
- Breeding age:
- 7
- Maturity age:
- 5-7
- Feeding times:
- Morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, hunting, pesticide exposure
- Parental care:
- Both parents incubate eggs and feed chick
- Primary calls:
- Loud, high-pitched whistles
- Social habits:
- Solitary, forming pairs only during mating season
- Egg appearance:
- White with few or no markings
- Feeding habits:
- Hunts from a perch, swooping down on prey
- Breeding season:
- Late September to early February
- Diet variations:
- Based on availability of prey
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 5-6 months
- Average lifespan:
- 40
- Call description:
- Series of whistles, each ending with a higher note
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, hunting in the morning and late afternoon
- Nesting location:
- Large trees in undisturbed forest
- Number of broods:
- Once every two years
- Incubation period:
- Around 58-68 days
- Nest construction:
- Large platform of sticks
- Migration patterns:
- Non-migratory
- Migratory patterns:
- Non-migratory
- Age related changes:
- Gradual fading of plumage color
- Prey capture method:
- Swooping from a perch
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected by law in the Philippines, captive breeding programs, habitat protection
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends large territories, especially during mating season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, breeding every two years
- Special dietary needs:
- Requires large quantities of food due to size
- Clutch characteristics:
- Usually one egg
- Interaction with other species:
- Minimal interaction due to solitary nature
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in primary lowland and montane forests
- Scan the canopy and emergent trees for perched individuals
- Listen for their high-pitched whistles and whinnying calls
- Be patient and quiet, as these eagles are easily disturbed by human presence
- Use high-powered binoculars or a spotting scope for better viewing
Did You Know?
- The Philippine Eagle has the largest wingspan-to-body-length ratio of any eagle, allowing for exceptional manoeuvrability in dense forests.
- It takes about seven years for a Philippine Eagle to reach sexual maturity.
- A pair of Philippine Eagles requires up to 13,000 hectares of forest to sustain a breeding territory.
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