Pinsker's hawk-eagle, south Philippine hawk-eagle or Mindanao hawk-eagle, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to the Philippines native to the islands of Leyte, Samar, Negros, Basilan, Bohol and Mindanao. It is found in primary moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest up to 1,900 m. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. IUCN estimates just 600–800 mature birds left.
Region
Southern and central Philippines
Typical Environment
Occurs on Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Negros, Bohol, and Basilan, primarily in primary moist lowland and montane forests. It prefers extensive, undisturbed forest but may use secondary growth and forest edges if near large intact blocks. Birds often patrol ridge lines, river valleys, and canopy gaps while hunting. Nest sites are placed high in emergent trees, typically within mature forest. The species persists at very low densities and avoids heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Pinsker's hawk-eagle, also called the South Philippine or Mindanao hawk-eagle, is a forest raptor restricted to the southern and central Philippines. It favors large tracts of intact lowland to montane rainforest and occurs at low densities. Like many large eagles, it has a slow breeding cycle and typically raises a single chick, making populations slow to recover. Major threats include deforestation and hunting/trapping, and only a few hundred mature individuals remain.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Typically observed alone or in pairs, maintaining large territories within extensive forest. Monogamous pairs build large stick nests high in emergent trees and often reuse them across seasons. Clutch size is usually one egg, and parental care is prolonged, with a lengthy fledging and post-fledging dependency period.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include piercing, high-pitched whistles and drawn-out screams, often given during display flights above the canopy. Calls can carry over long distances in forest and are used for territorial advertisement and pair communication.
