The Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle or great Philippine eagle, is a critically endangered species of eagle of the family Accipitridae which is endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-colored plumage, a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm in length and weighs 4.04 to 8.0 kg.
Region
Philippines
Typical Environment
Endemic to the main forested islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. It favors extensive tracts of primary and mature secondary lowland to montane rainforest with large emergent trees for nesting. Territories are vast, often spanning tens of square kilometers, and include steep ravines, ridgelines, and river valleys. The species avoids heavily disturbed areas and requires intact canopy for hunting and nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Philippine eagle, also called the monkey-eating eagle, is the national bird of the Philippines and one of the world’s largest and rarest raptors. It forms lifelong pairs and breeds very slowly, typically raising a single chick every two years. Severe deforestation and hunting have pushed it to the brink, but intensive conservation and captive-breeding programs continue to help the species recover.
A captive Philippine eagle in Davao City
Philippine Eagle's habitat representation in Philippine National Museum.
Illustration of a Philippine eagle kept in captivity in London in 1909–1910
A Philippine eagle nestling
A Philippine eagle named Sir Arny, at the Philippine Eagle Center, Davao City
Symbolic passports issued to Geothermica and Sambisig, individual eagles which were loaned to Singapore.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with powerful, deliberate wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically observed as lone adults or bonded pairs occupying very large territories. Strongly monogamous, with pairs maintaining the same nest site for years. Nests are placed high in emergent trees, and the pair generally fledges a single chick every other year with prolonged parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, piercing whistles and fluty, drawn-out notes that carry through the forest. Adults give sharp, high-pitched calls during territory defense and when communicating with mates or juveniles.
Plumage
Rich brown upperparts with white underparts and a shaggy, elongated crest; feathering is dense with a slightly glossy sheen on the mantle.
Diet
Apex forest predator preying on flying lemurs, macaques, squirrels, large birds (including hornbills), bats, civets, and reptiles such as snakes and monitor lizards. Hunts primarily by still-hunting from concealed perches and by slow, methodical quartering along the canopy. Powerful feet and long talons allow it to subdue relatively large prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages within dense primary forest, along canopy gaps, and near ridgelines and steep ravines that provide updrafts and vantage points. Often hunts from tall perches overlooking movement corridors such as rivers or forest edges.
