Category : InternationalPublished on: February 17 2026
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The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey, is endemic to the Philippines and a national symbol. Nicknamed the “monkey-eating bird,” it hunts monkeys, flying squirrels, bats, snakes, and other small animals. Adults measure 76–102 cm with a wingspan of about 1.9 m, and females are larger than males. This apex predator thrives in undisturbed dipterocarp forests across Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.
Deforestation and habitat loss have pushed the species into steep mountainous areas, threatening survival. Fewer than 500 mature individuals remain, placing it on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserve this majestic raptor.
