Brief Description
- The Philippine eagle is our national bird, whose strong talons and keen eyesight make it a powerful apex predator.
- Its brown feathers resemble the Filipino skin tone, kayumanggi, making it uniquely symbolic.
- With a remarkable crest and a wingspan that can reach up to 2 meters, it is one of the largest eagles in the world. These eagles are highly territorial and soar high in the sky, representing the Filipino spirit of freedom and resilience.
Where are they found
- Philippine eagles live in the rich, lush forests of the Sierra Madre and Cordillera mountain ranges in Luzon, as well as on the islands of Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, where a majority of them are found. These sites are vital to their survival because they need lush forests with old-growth trees and towering hardwood tree species to survive.
- You will often find Philippine eagles in lowland forests, where these towering trees provide the perfect lookout spots for hunting. These forests give them space to nest, plenty of food, and the cover they need to stay safe.
How do they contribute to our ecosystem?
- As the king of Philippine forests, the Philippine eagle helps keep our ecosystem balanced by indicating the health of these forest ecosystems. The presence of the Philippine eagle in our forests suggests a rich and dynamic environment that is enough to sustain our needs.
- Smaller eagles act as “garbage disposers,” consuming the dead carcasses of animals, which keeps the forests clean and healthy.
- As an umbrella species, protecting the Philippine eagle also benefits other unique wildlife that share its habitat, as well as equally important watersheds.
Why are they in danger?
- The population of the Philippine eagle continues to decline because of man-made activities, e.g., shooting and the loss of their forest habitats, which can be attributed to illegal logging, mining, and other destructive activities.
- At least one (1) Philippine eagle is shot each year
- While the Philippine eagle continues to breed, they become vulnerable to trapping and shooting when they venture into open landscapes
- The Philippine eagle may also be exposed to avian influenza, which could wipe out the entire population of captive eagles at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City. Measures have been instituted to mitigate such occurrences at the Center
How will my donation help protect the Philippine Eagle?
Your donations will enable the Philippine Eagle Foundation to proceed with the following:
- Raise awareness of the eagle by informing younger generations of its importance and the various roles it plays in our lives.
- Fund improved species protection through community-based forest guarding programs.
- Provide alternate sources of income for communities that live in and around eagle habitats, such as serving as guides and porters.
- Procure native tree species and seedlings through the government’s National Greening Program and reforestation efforts.
