by Alex Correa

The Pithecophaga jefferyi- also known as the ‘Philippine Eagle’ – is a species belonging to the Accipitridae family living in Southeast Asia. They are typically located in the Philippines and occur on four major islands: eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. They can typically be found in tropical moist forests. The Philippine Eagle is known as the national bird of the Philippines. Killing a Philippine Eagle is punishable under Philippine law by up to 12 years in prison and heavy fines. 

The Philippine Eagle is considered to be one of the largest eagles in the entire world, with an average weight of 8.8-17.6 pounds, an average length of 33.9-40.2 inches, and an average wingspan of 72.4-86.6 inches. It is an easily identifiable bird, not only due to its discernible size, but also due to its other physical attributes. Its face is a dark gray color, and its crown and nape are similar creamy brown colors. Its nape is covered by brown feathers that fade out to a pale white. These feathers form a wooly, manelike crest. Its back is a dark brown color, while its underside and underwings are a pale white. Its brawny legs are a pale yellow. It has gargantuan, well built dark colored claws, along with a sizable, bulging, livid blue beak. The majority of Philippine Eagles have a similar eye color to their beak color.

The Philippine Eagle is a solitary bird and spends time either entirely alone or in mated pairs. It is a monogamous bird, and finds long-term relationships to which it commits for the rest of its life. If its partner dies, the Philippine Eagle often searches for a new partner.It is a carnivorous bird, and its diets consist of monkeys, birds, flying foxes, giant cloud-rats, Asian palm civets, flying squirrels, tree squirrels, fruit bats, reptiles and even other birds. 

The Philippine Eagle is currently listed as a critically endangered species. It is primarily threatened by deforestation for the purpose of expanding human agricultural developments. Mining, pollution, exposure to pesticides that affect breeding, and poaching are also major threats. Many Philippine Eagles are occasionally caught in traps laid by locals placed with the intention of catching deer. There are an estimated 250-600 Philippine Eagles left in the wild.