PHILIPPINE EAGLE ARTICLE

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.7 to 8.0 kilograms (10 to 18 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length, with the Steller's Sea Eagle and the Harpy Eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk. Among the rarest and most powerful birds in the world, it has been declared the Philippine national bird. It is critically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range. Killing a Philippine Eagle is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fines. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Eagle


The Philippine national eagle inhabits the mountain area around Mt. Apo on Mindanao. Though, already more than 85 to 90 percent of the original tropical forest disappeared because of illegal logging, the Philippines still have natural environment which is a home for a very wide range of different of birds. The eagles build their nest high in one of the giant trees on natural platforms, about 30 meters off ground. The reproduction of eagle is complete breeding cycle of Eagle lasts two years. The female matures sexually at five years of age and the male at seven. Like most eagles, the Philippine Eagle is monogamous. Once paired, a couple remains together for the rest of their lives. If one dies, the remaining eagle often searches for a new mate to replace the one lost.

Description appearance of the Philippine eagle is 75-100 cm tall, wing span of two meters, Territory of an eagle; 60-100 sq kilometre, crown and crest yellowish with brown shaft streaks. Upper part rich brown w/ pale edges of feathers, Tail dark brown with blackish bars and white tip. And lastly, feet are yellow. http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/animals7.htm


Philippine eagle is an endemic species but also an endangered species, because it is gradually decreasing. Philippines is slowly losing the national eagle, although maya is also called the Philippine national bird, it is still cannot replace the beauty of the eagle. Mt. apo in the Mindanao is not as the same as before, because of the climate, it is also affected; not only that but also because of us people. People these days are destroying mother earth, if we continue that; we will lose important species that are rare to see.

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