Philippine Hawk-Eagle
Nisaetus philippensis
A fairly large raptor of lowland and foothill forest in the northern Philippines. Dark brown above and pale brown below with a streaked head and chest and a finely barred lower belly. Note the long hind crest and the chin stripe. In flight, has barred wings and a fairly long tail, both with a dark terminal band. Juveniles are much paler. Remarkably similar to Philippine Honey-buzzard, but head doesn’t project as far forward from the wings. Voice is a fairly high, screeching “week wik!” or single “week!”
Identification
The Philippine hawk-eagle is a large raptor with a dark brown upper plumage and a pale brown belly. Head and chest are streaked and the lower belly is finely barred. The species has a conspicuous backwards crest. Juveniles are paler. The call a high, screeching “week wik!” or single “week!”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nisaetus philippensis
- Authority
- (Gould, 1863)
- Order
- Accipitriformes
- Family
- Accipitridae
- Genus
- Nisaetus
Range and habitat
It inhabits primary and secondary forest, occasionally frequenting clearings and cultivations, from the lowlands to lower mountain slopes. Majority of records are below 1,000 meters above sea level.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The IUCN Red List has assessed this bird as endangered with the population being estimated at 400 to 600 mature individuals remaining and still continuing to decrease. This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range. It is also trapped and hunted for food and the pet trade.<p>It occurs in a few protected areas including Mt. Makiling National Park, Mount Isarog National Park, Kalbario–Patapat Natural Park, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Bataan National Park. However, as is the case for most of the Philippines protection and enforcement from logging and hunting is lax. <p>Conservation actions proposed include to surveys in area from which the species is known and propose formal protection. Study the species's ecology, particularly home-range size and dispersal ability to help inform a global population estimate and assess the likely impact of habitat fragmentation. Promote more effective enforcement of legislation designed to control hunting and trading. Assess forest loss in the Philippines and gauge the species's likely rate of decline and degree of fragmentation of its populations. Research hunting and trade by interviewing local people and visiting wildlife markets.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Large trogon, shimmering emerald above with red belly. Male has noticeable golden sheen on head and yellow bill; female has brown head and duller brownish chest and bill. In all plumages, look for entirely dark tail and dark eye to help separate from similar Crested Quetzal. Found in forests and edges in the subtropical zones. Tends to perch stolidly in the subcanopy; can be difficult to spot. Most often seen in the vicinity of a fruiting tree, singly or in pairs, although sometimes several birds can gather at a food source. Listen for mournful song, a repeated “go home, go home, go home.”
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Remarkable odd-looking diving duck with a long tail, often held cocked. Males have a striking white face and black crown that contrasts with their large blue bill and chestnut body. Female and juveniles have a darker brown bill, more extensive dark crown and pale cheek stripe, similar to Ruddy Ducks. Silent and rarely flies. Rare and local. Usually found in shallow, open water with dense aquatic plants.
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