Philippine Serpent-Eagle
Spilornis holospilus
A fairly large, common raptor of forest and more open wooded areas from the lowlands to the lower mountains. Dark brown with white speckles on the crown and upperparts, rufous-brown below with large white spots. Note the gray cheek and yellow eye. Differs from other raptors in its range by its bare yellow skin between the bill and eye, and in flight by its dark terminal band to the wings and tail. Often gives a whistled “weeeeeuuuu weu weu” in flight, or sometimes just a single note.
Identification
The Philippine serpent eagle is distinguished from other species of serpent eagle by more well-defined spots on the underparts and wings.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Spilornis holospilus
- Authority
- (Vigors, 1831)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Spilornis
Range and habitat
It inhabits primary and secondary forest. The bird is often seen soaring over clearings and river valleys.<p>On August 6, 2023, Miguel Rabuyas discovered the bird trapped in his farm at Lun Masla, Malapatan and was released in Calabanit, Glan, Sarangani. On February 9, 2024, the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) turned over a rescued 1 foot tall, with a wingspan of 4 feet and weighing 2.5 kilograms to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Santa Rita, Guiguinto. It was later sent to Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Saucerottia saucerottei
Fairly small dark hummingbird, green overall with dark blue tail. Straight, medium-length bill. Sexes similar. Usually seen feeding singly in flowers along forest edge, shrubby second growth, and gardens. Separated from Emeralds by longer bill, blue-and-white vent, bronze patch on rump, and less deeply forked tail.
American Pygmy Kingfisher
Chloroceryle aenea
Tiny kingfisher of shady forest streams and mangroves. Often darts away when disturbed, but can be confiding if approached quietly and usually perches fairly low over the water. About half of the size of Green Kingfisher, and easily distinguished by rusty underparts and poorly contrasting pale neck collar (bright white on Green Kingfisher). Female has a narrow green breast band, lacking on male.
Eye-ringed Thistletail
Asthenes palpebralis
Well-named bird found only in a small area of the eastern Andes in central Peru. Like other thistletails, it is gray and brown with a long, wispy tail and an orange chin. Not known to overlap with any other thistletail; the only other in Peru with an eye-ring is Mouse-colored Thistletail, which only occurs far to the north. Inhabits scrub and stunted forest near treeline. Gives rapid, high-pitched trills and sharp squeaks.
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