Spotlight On: The Philippine Eagle

Most may be familiar with the critically endangered status of the Philippine Eagle, but did you know that there is actually a week dedicated to spread valuable information about this majestic bird of prey?

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Named Philippine Eagle Week or PEW, the event is observed every June 4 to 10 and is now on its 27th year since its declaration by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 79 in 1999.

In line with this year’s observance of Philippine Eagle week, here’s a roundup of interesting facts about this majestic bird.

Identified as one of the largest and most powerful among forest raptor birds, the Philippine Eagle can boast of wingspans that measure up to seven feet.

It is characterized by a brown-and-white-colored plumage and a shaggy crest, and measures between 2.82 to 3.35 feet in length and weigh between 8.98 to 17.6 lbs.

Historians note that the eagle was first studied in 1896 by English naturalist and explorer John Whitehead on June 15 that year.

It is said that Whitehead collected a specimen which he sent to ornithologist William Robert Ogilvie-Grant who provided the scientific name of the eagle.

When it was first discovered, it was initially called “monkey-eating eagle”. It got this name based on reports that said that it exclusively preyed on monkeys.

From these reports, the eagle’s scientific name was coined from pithecus (Greek for “monkey” or “ape”) and phagus (which translates to “eater of”). Its scientific name is Pithecophaga jefferyi.