The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is the largest and most powerful eagle in the world, but it does not prey on coyotes. As a species native to the Philippines, the Philippine eagle’s diet consists primarily of other animals found in its tropical forest habitat, such as monkeys, birds, flying foxes, and small mammals.
The Philippine Eagle’s Diet
The Philippine eagle is an apex predator in its ecosystem, and its diet is quite diverse. According to research, the main prey of the Philippine eagle includes:
- Monkeys (such as the long-tailed macaque)
- Birds (including other birds of prey)
- Flying foxes
- Giant cloud-rats
- Asian palm civets
- Flying squirrels
- Tree squirrels
- Fruit bats
- Reptiles (large snakes and lizards)
In some areas, the Philippine eagle has also been known to feed on flying lemurs and even young pigs and small dogs. However, coyotes are not part of the Philippine eagle’s natural prey, as coyotes are not found in the Philippines.
Hunting Techniques of the Philippine Eagle
Image source: Philippine_Eagle
The Philippine eagle employs two primary hunting techniques to capture its prey:
- Still-Hunting: The eagle watches for prey activity while sitting almost motionlessly on a branch near the canopy.
- Perch-Hunting: The eagle periodically glides from one perch to another, scanning the forest for potential prey.
These hunting strategies allow the Philippine eagle to effectively locate and capture its diverse range of prey species within its tropical forest habitat.
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
The Philippine eagle is a monogamous species, with pairs remaining together for life. During the breeding season, which typically occurs in July, the eagles engage in various courtship displays, including:
- Paired soaring over their nesting territory
- The male chasing the female in a diagonal dive
- Mutual talon presentation
The female Philippine eagle typically lays a single egg, which is incubated for 58 to 68 days, with the female doing most of the incubation at night. Both parents help feed the newly hatched eaglet, which fledges after 4 or 5 months and remains under the care of its parents for a total of 20 months.
Conservation Status and Threats
The Philippine eagle is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of only 180 to 500 mature individuals. The primary threat to the species is habitat loss due to deforestation, which has significantly reduced the Philippine eagle’s range and population.
Killing a Philippine eagle is punishable under Philippine law by up to 12 years in prison and heavy fines. Additionally, the eagles are occasionally caught in traps laid by local people for deer. Conservation efforts, including habitat protection and public awareness campaigns, are crucial for the survival of this majestic and iconic bird of prey.
References:
– The Peregrine Fund. (n.d.). Philippine Eagle | The Peregrine Fund. Retrieved April 22, 2024, from https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/eagles/philippine-eagle
– The Animal Files. (n.d.). Philippine Eagle: The Animal Files. Retrieved April 22, 2024, from https://www.theanimalfiles.com/birds/birds_of_prey/philippine_eagle.html
– Wikipedia. (2024, April 22). Philippine eagle. Retrieved April 22, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_eagle
– Animalia.bio. (n.d.). Philippine Eagle – Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio. Retrieved April 22, 2024, from https://animalia.bio/philippine-eagle
– HowStuffWorks. (2024, February 29). Philippine Eagle: The Bird That Lays 1 Egg Every 2 Years | HowStuffWorks. Retrieved April 22, 2024, from https://animals.howstuffworks.com/endangered-species/philippine-eagle.htm
