Recent News

• Luzon watershed offers home to Philippine eagle
• Offspring for first captive-bred Philippine eagle
• New protection areas set out for Philippine Eagle
• Philippine eagle sighted in Apayao mountains

About the Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagle is among the largest eagles in the world. This national bird of the Philippines lives mainly on the Luzon and Mindanao Islands and has a wingspan of 6-7 ft.

Due to massive habitat loss and deforestation, even within well-funded park areas, this apex predator has been listed as critically endangered since 1994 and extensive fines as well as jail time have been put into effect in Philippine law for harming an eagle.

Habitat

The island of Luzon is the largest Philippine Island located at the north end of the island group. It is composed of lowland rainforests, and the massive Cagayan River Valley located between two north-south oriented mountain ranges. Most of the ecoregion's endemic bird species can be found in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, which is highly funded for conservation efforts.

This topography makes the valley the largest rice growing region in the country, but also a suitable habitat for this massive eagle species, which exists in lowland forests and hunts prey from small bats to Philippine deer (weighing ~30 lbs). The two largest remaining populations of Philippine Eagles are found on the islands of Luzon and Mindanao, each with <300 breeding pairs present.

Major Threats

This species' large area needs and low reproduction rates make it extremely susceptible to deforestation and fragmentation challenges created by logging and mining companies in the Philippines.

Governmentally funded parks, as well as non-protected lands, are being threatened by deforestation for roads and development encroachment on these critical habitats for not only eagles, but many other endemic species on the Philippine Islands.

What Can You Do?

Many organizations, along with the Philippine government, are committed to promoting and enforcing conservation of the Philippine Eagle. The World Wildlife Fund has outlined not only the endangerment of this species, but of the ecological diversity of the entire region, listing the island of Luzon as endangered. National Geographic brought attention the the critical endangerment of these magnificent creatures in 2008, providing insight to major threats as well as captive breeding programs and how to help. The non-profit Philippine Eagle Foundation provides up to date information and education programs to help promote the conservation of these eagles, as well as awareness about their dire situation. The IUCN Redlist details the history of the species' endangered listing and its progress toward recovery.

When it comes to conservation any little amount helps. You as an individual can always contribute something toward a good cause, whether it is volunteering your time, or making donations to organizations that are committed to conservation. Non-profit organizations and NGOs can always use continued funding and support to continue the amazing work that they do preserving endangered species and their habitats.