The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the monkey-eating eagle or great Philippine eagle, is a critically endangered species of eagle of the family Accipitridae which is endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.04 to 8.0 kg (8.9 to 17.6 lb). The Philippine eagle is the national bird of the Philippines, the longest eagle in the world, and a critically endangered apex predator. Fewer than 500 individuals remain in the wild. Size and AppearanceHeight and Length: Grows up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall, making it the longest living eagle species.Wingspan: Reaches about 6.5 to 7 feet (2 meters) wide.Feathers: Features a shaggy, mane-like brown crest, brown back feathers, and a white belly.Face: Displays striking blue-gray eyes and a large, high-arched bluish-gray beak.
The Philippine eagle lives in tropical rainforests, specifically in steep and rugged mountainous regions. They are endemic to four main islands in the Philippines: Mindanao, Luzon, Samar, and Leyte. Geographic DistributionMindanao: Holds the largest portion of the eagle population.Luzon, Samar, and Leyte: Support much smaller, highly vulnerable numbers. Forest Types and ElevationDipterocarp Forests: Prefer old-growth and primary forests featuring tall native trees like Lauan for nesting.Altitudes: Range from lowlands up to mountainous zones over 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) above sea level.Territory Size: A single pair requires a massive home range of 4,000 to 11,000 hectares (approx. 40 to 133 square kilometers) to hunt and survive.
