Philippine Birds of Prey

illustrations and layout design by Tini Borja



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Philippine Birds of Prey An Illustrated Guide

INTRODUCTION The Philippines is considered one of the by their conservative life strategy. None- 17 megadiverse countries in the world, theless, they have attracted an interest containing atleast two-thirds of earth’s from the point of view of con- biodiversity and a high population of servation biology because fauna and flora species. Birds, especial- many populations have ly raptors, play an important role in the been close to extinction. ecosystems. They are referred to as in- Hence, it is vital to cre- dicator species because threats like hab- ate a national agen- itat loss and climate change have the da for these species. most dramatic impact on top predators. Birds, especially raptors, play an impor- tant role in ecosystems. They are referred to as indicator species because threats like habitat loss and climate change have the most dramatic impact on top pred- ators. They also play an important eco- logical role by controlling populations of rodents and other small mammals thus,creatingawell-balancedecosystem. In comparison with other avian species, raptors are an uncommon study model, mainly due to the limitations imposed 14

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Food Different types of raptors eat a wide range of different animals. The larg- er the hunter the larger the prey, but many medium and large raptors will also choose easier, smaller meals when small prey is more abundant. 28

Large Insects: Grasshoppers, pray- ing mantises, beetles, and other large insects are the preferred prey of small raptors. Raptors that spend a large amount of time on the ground also eat a lot of insects. 29



Endemic Raptors of the Philippines 39

Philippine Eagle CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Pithecophaga jefferyi The Great Philippine Eagle, also known as the “Haribon Eagle” is one of the largest eagles, and continues to be one of the most endangered birds of prey in the world. Description: an adult eagle has a dark face and a creamy-brown nape and crown; huge, broad rounded wings and long tail; massive arched blu- ish-gray bill; blue-grey eyes; underparts with dark brown shaft streaks; tail above and flight feathers are dark brown with black bars; and, heavy legs are yellow, with large, powerful, dark claws. Habits: often found in lowland montane forests Range: Leyte, eastern Luzon, Mindanao, and Samar Diet: monkeys, bats, civets, flying squirrels, ma- caques and other birds of prey, snakes and lizards Population: 180-500 Threats: deforestation and wildlife poaching Conservation Action: The species occurs in sev- eral protected areas including the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park on Luzon, Mt Kitanglad and Mt Apo Natural Parks on Mindanao. 42

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Northern Philippine hawk-eagle ENDANGERED Nisaetus philippensis Description: with a crest on top of its head, feath- ered tarsus, booted legs; adults: top of the head, nape, and face feathers basal half buff with half distal dark brown; throat buff with dark brown mesial stripe and distinct streaked moustachial stripes Habits: uncommon in forests from the lowlands Range: Luzon and Mindoro Diet: Prey not recorded Population: 400-600 Threats: habitat loss in the form of logging and agriculture Conservation Action: It has been recorded in numerous protected areas, including Mts Isarog and Makiling National Parks, the Northern Sier- ra Madre Natural Park and Bataan Natural Park/ Subic Bay and recently on Mount Irid-Angelo-Bi- nuang of the Southern Sierra Madre in Luzon, as well as Tadao Ilocos Norte, Mt Palay Palay and Mt Banahaw. 44

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Philippine honey-buzzard LEAST CONCERN Pernis steerei Description: They have long, broad buteonine wings and tails. The legs are short, but stout; with stout toes and talons. The lores are densely feath- ered with short imbricated feathers, an adaptation to ward off wasps and bees whose larvae form an important part of their diet. The feathers of the entire head are somewhat stiffened; with or with- out a projecting crest on nape. The tail is bold- ly barred. Their general colour is highly variable with dark phases in some forms. The young are usually more heavily streaked than are the adults. Habits: ranges primarily in lowland forest and forest edges, tends to perch on dense parts of tree crowns Range: Samar, Negros, Siargao, Mindanao, Basi- lan, Leyte, Tablas, Bohol, Tawitawi, Dinagat, and Masbate Diet: wasp and termite adults and larvae, lizards, nestling birds, and perhaps frogs Population: unknown Threats: deforestation through timber harvesting Conservation Action: unknown 50

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Falconidae Family A family of diurnal birds of prey now usually restricted to the long- winged swift-flying falcons and the caracaras but formerly including most hawks, eagles, buzzards, Old World vultures, and related forms. 53

Philippine falconet LEAST CONCERN Microhierax erythrogenys Description: The upperparts, flanks and thighs are a glossy blue-black, the underparts white and the beak and feet black Habits: found singly or in small groups in open forests and edges Range: Bohol, Calicoan, Catanduanes, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Samar, and Panay Diet: insects and small vertebrates Population: 670-6700 Threats: habitat destruction Conservation Actions: unknown 54

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Strigidae Family There are around 190 species of owl in this family. They are found in all parts of the world, except Antarctica. They are found in a variety of habitats. Owls in this family have sharp, hooked bills; large, forward-facing eyes; big heads; round faces; flexible necks; long bodies; sharp talons; and soft, thick feathers. 57

Philippine eagle owl VULNERABLE Bubo philippensis Description: large and bulky with floppy, rath- er inconspicuous ear tufts and huge yellow eyes. Races differ in size and color; philippensis is small- er with rufous underparts while mindanensis is larger with dark brown underparts Habits: lives in forests and forest edges in the low- lands, often near rivers and lakes in coconut plan- tations with patches of second growth Range: Catanduanes, Luzon, Bohol, Samar, Min- danao, and Leyte. Diet: beetles and crickets Population: 2500-9999 Threats: The species are also at risk of being hunt- ed, persecuted for superstitious beliefs, and or possibly accidental poisoning Conservation Action: Recorded from several pro- tected areas, including the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Quezon and Mt Makiling national parks on Luzon, Mt Kitanglad and Mt Apo natu- ral parks on Mindanao and Rajah Sikatuna Na- tional Park in Bohol. 58

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