The Philippine Eagle is Critically Endangered. Now's the Time to Save It. - Air Mail

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Meet Pithecophaga jefferyi—or Philippine eagle—a magnificent bird native to the Philippine islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Their wingspans stretch to more than seven feet, and their piercing blue eyes match their gray-blue beaks. They are among the largest eagles in the world. Every July, males chase prospective females in dramatic aerial dances. They dive and spiral, occasionally locking razor-sharp talons midair in a show of strength. If the male proves agile, the female signals approval. They stay together for life. It’s an equitable society in the treetops. Parents share hunting duties, delivering snakes and small mammals to their chicks. The young won’t hunt on their own for 20 months, requiring practice. Once skilled, the chicks join the ranks of adult háribón—Filipino for “bird king”—and find mates. Logging and illegal hunting have pushed Asia’s bird kings to the brink of extinction, with only 400 remaining. To support conservation efforts, donate here. —Elena Clavarino

Elena Clavarino

By Elena Clavarino

Photo illustration by Chop Choppish Shop

Photo illustration: Chop Choppish Shop. Photo: Crystite RF/Alamy (Filipino eagle)

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