The Philippine serpent eagle is an eagle found in the major islands of the Philippines. It is sometimes treated as a race of the crested serpent eagle. This species is usually found in forest clearings, open woodlands, and sometimes in cultivated lands with scattered trees. It is endemic to the Philippines. The species is found on most part of the major islands, except for Palawan.
Region
Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs across much of the archipelago, including Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, but is absent from Palawan. It favors forest clearings, edges of lowland and foothill forests, and open woodlands with scattered tall trees. The species readily uses secondary growth and selectively logged forest and will hunt over cultivated landscapes such as coconut groves and rice fields if tall perches are available. It is most frequently seen soaring over ridges or perched quietly near openings while scanning for prey.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A snake‑specialist raptor, it often hunts by circling over forest edges and clearings and is famous for its piercing, whistled calls. In flight it shows bold pale 'windows' across the underwings and a strongly banded tail. It is widespread on most major Philippine islands except Palawan, where it is replaced by a related serpent-eagle. Although adaptable to secondary habitats, it is sensitive to heavy forest loss.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with occasional deep wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in territorial pairs. Pairs perform circling displays over territory and nest high in tall trees, typically producing a single egg. Both parents participate in territory defense and provisioning of the chick.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives loud, whistled, carrying notes, often a piercing whee-eee or two-note call repeated in series. Vocalizes frequently while soaring over territory, especially in the morning.
Plumage
Dark brown upperparts with a short crest; underparts brown with fine barring and pale spotting. Underwings show broad pale panels across the coverts contrasting with darker flight feathers. Tail is dark with bold white bands. Cere and legs are bright yellow, giving a striking look at close range.
Diet
Primarily preys on reptiles, especially snakes and large lizards, using keen eyesight to detect movement from a perch or while circling. It also takes frogs, small mammals such as rats, and occasionally birds and large insects. Prey is seized with strong talons; snakes may be dispatched on the ground or carried to a perch before consumption.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along forest edges, over clearings, and above river corridors where visibility is good. It also patrols over plantations and cultivated fields that retain tall trees or forest patches for perching.
