According to a study conducted on the breeding behavior of a Philippine Eagle pair at Mount Sinaka, Central Mindanao, the egg was left unattended for a maximum of 102 minutes. This suggests that the egg needs to be incubated almost constantly, with only brief periods of unattendance.
The Importance of Constant Incubation
Philippine Eagles, also known as Monkey-eating Eagles, are one of the largest and most endangered eagle species in the world. The incubation period for a Philippine Eagle egg is typically around 55-60 days. During this time, the egg must be kept at a constant temperature and humidity to ensure the healthy development of the embryo.
The study on the breeding behavior of the Philippine Eagle pair found that the male performed nighttime incubation on only three occasions, while the female incubated the egg during the rest of the time. This indicates that the parents are highly motivated to protect their egg and ensure its survival.
Factors Affecting Unattendance
Image source: Philippine_Eagle
In the wild, it is unlikely that a Philippine Eagle egg would be left unattended for longer than 102 minutes, as the parents would be motivated to protect their egg. However, in captivity, there may be more opportunities for the egg to be left unattended, which could potentially impact its viability.
Factors that could lead to increased unattendance of the egg include:
- Disturbances: If the nesting site is disturbed by human activity or other environmental factors, the parents may be more likely to leave the egg unattended for longer periods.
- Inexperienced Parents: If the parents are young or inexperienced, they may be less adept at incubating the egg and may leave it unattended for longer periods.
- Health Issues: If the parents are ill or injured, they may be unable to provide the constant care required for the egg, leading to increased unattendance.
Hatching Asynchrony
It is also worth noting that hatching asynchrony is common in eagle species, including the Philippine Eagle. This means that if two eggs are laid, they may hatch at different times, with the second egg hatching several days after the first.
This can lead to competition between the chicks, with the older and larger chick often dominating the younger and smaller one. In some cases, the younger chick may not survive.
Conclusion
In summary, a Philippine Eagle egg can be left unattended for a maximum of 102 minutes, but it is important for the egg to be incubated almost constantly to ensure its viability. Factors such as disturbances, inexperienced parents, and health issues can lead to increased unattendance, which could potentially impact the egg’s survival.
Additionally, hatching asynchrony is common in eagle species, which can lead to competition between chicks and potentially impact their survival.
References:
– Journey North. (n.d.). Bald Eagles: Incubation. Retrieved from https://journeynorth.org/tm/eagle/annual/facts_incubation.html
– Notas sobre el comportamiento de apareamiento de una pareja de águilas filipinas en el monte Sinaka, Mindanao central. (2003). The Peregrine Fund. Retrieved from https://assets.peregrinefund.org/docs/pdf/research-library/2003/2003-Ibanez-philippine-eagle.pdf
– Reddit. (2014, February 27). How long is it reasonable to wait for an eagle egg to hatch? Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1z32ju/how_long_is_it_reasonable_to_wait_for_an_eagle/
– Ibáñez, J. M. (2003). Notes on the Breeding Behavior of a Philippine Eagle Pair at Mount Sinaka, Central Mindanao. The Peregrine Fund. Retrieved from https://assets.peregrinefund.org/docs/pdf/research-library/2003/2003-Ibanez-philippine-eagle.pdf
– Ibáñez, J. M. (2003). Notes on the Breeding Behavior of a Philippine Eagle Pair at Mount Sinaka, Central Mindanao. BioOne. Retrieved from https://bioone.org/journalArticle/Download?fullDOI=10.1676%2F01-054.
