The Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, also known as the Great Philippine Eagle orMonkey-eating Eagle, is among the rarest, largest, and most powerful birds in the world. It is actually considered the Largest Extant Eagle in the world [2]. This bird of prey is endemic to forests in the Philippines, where it is the national bird.[3] It has numerous local names, including Agila,Haribon, Haring Ibon (which means "Bird King") and banog.[3][4] Killing this critically endangeredspecies is punishable under Philippine law by twelve years in jail and heavy fines.[5]
Description
The Philippine Eagle's nape is adorned with long brown feathers that form a shaggy crest. These feathers give it the appearance of possessing a lion's mane, which in turn resembles the mythical griffin. The eagle has a dark face and a creamy-brown nape and crown. The back of the Philippine Eagle is dark brown, while the underside and underwings are white. The heavy legs are yellow with large, powerful dark claws, and the prominent large, high-arched, deep beak is a bluish-gray. The eagle's eyes are blue-gray. Juveniles are similar to adults except that their upperpart feathers have pale fringes.[11]
The female is typically reported as being up to 102 centimetres (3.35 ft) long,[12] but a specimen at the Field Museum of Natural History(FMNH) is 112 centimetres (3.67 ft) long.[13] The adult male is about 10% smaller.[14] Based on the longest specimen at FMNH (of captive origin and may therefore not be representative of wild individuals), the maximum length of the Philippine Eagle exceeds that of all other living eagles.[13] It weighs 4.7 to 8 kilograms (10 to 18 lb) and has a wingspan of 184 to 202 centimetres (72 to 80 in).[14] Its maximum weight is surpassed by two other eagles (the Harpy and the Steller's Sea Eagle) and the wings are shorter than large eagles of open country (such as the Martial Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle and Steller's Sea Eagle), but are quite broad.[14]
The most frequently heard noises made by the Philippine Eagle are loud, high-pitched whistles. Additionally, juveniles have been known to beg for food by a series of high-pitched calls.[11]
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