Philippine Eagle: too many down, few still standing

Eagles have held a special place in the cultures of many civilizations because of their impressive size and beauty. Used to symbolize royal power, from ancient Egypt to the Roman and Napoleonic empires, eagles have appeared on coins, standards, and weaponry.

The Philippine monkey-eating eagle is well named for its preference for eating monkeys, particularly macaques. This ferocious-looking bird stands over 3 feet (1 m) tall and can weigh up to 9 pounds (4 kg) — larger than a golden eagle. Bluish eyes, a large, sharp, curved beak, and a warlike headdress of spiky feathers, give the Philippine eagle a striking appearance.

First described in 1894 in the Philippines, the total wild population of the Philippine eagle is now estimated to be under 200. Once found in thick, mountainous forests on most of the larger Philippine islands, the eagle has been extirpated from several islands just in the last 20 years (see also Spotlight on Island Biogeography).

Causes of Endangerment

Hunting

Raptors are threatened worldwide. Historically, raptors have been persecuted simply because of their predatory nature. Humans kill them to protect domestic animals, or to eliminate competition for a sought-after prey species.

The Philippine eagle also was a prized trophy for hunters. Once firearms became widely available in the Philippines after World War I, the number of eagles killed for sport sky-rocketed. Even legal protection was of no use for quite awhile. When important people paid large sums of money to hunt the eagles, often it was the game wardens who led them to the birds!

Pollution

Because of their position at top of the food chain, raptors are particularly vulnerable to toxins, such as pesticides, which build up in their prey species. Peregrine falcons and bald eagles in North America were nearly eliminated by the widespread use of the pesticide DDT.

Habitat Loss

Tropical forest raptors like the Philippine eagle have been greatly impacted by habitat destruction. Reduced territory size, declining numbers of prey animals, and disappearance of large nesting trees all have contributed to the eagle’s decline. It is estimated that 80 percent of Philippine rain forests have disappeared since the 1970s.

Collectors

The Philippine eagle became a desirable acquisition for zoos and private collectors, beginning in the 1960s. Collectors stole young eagles from nests for sale to the highest bidder.

Conservation Actions

Hunting of and trade in the Philippine eagle are now prohibited. The greatest threat to its survival remains the continued loss of its tropical rain forest habitat. At a minimum, selective logging methods should be employed to protect the large nesting trees and leave sufficient tracts of undisturbed forest to support eagles. In addition, the use of agricultural pesticides needs to be reduced to prevent poisoning of animals at the top of food chains (see Spotlight on the Bald Eagle).