Philippine (Monkey Eating) Eagle

The Philippine monkey-eating eagle is well named for its preference for eating monkeys, particularly macaques.

This ferocious-looking bird stands over 3 feet (1 m) tall and can weigh up to 9 pounds (4 kg) -- larger than a golden eagle. Bluish eyes, a large, sharp, curved beak, and a warlike headdress of spiky feathers, give the Philippine eagle a striking appearance.

First described in 1894 in the Philippines, the total wild population of the Philippine eagle is now estimated to be under 200. Once found in thick, mountainous forests on most of the larger Philippine islands, the eagle has been extirpated from several islands just in the last 20 years.

The Philippine eagle also attacks domestic animals such as dogs, pigs, and young goats.

Like most big predators, the Philippine eagle requires a large territory for hunting. Philippine eagles also require the tallest trees, those which emerge above the rain forest canopy, for nesting. They have a very low reproduction rate, laying just one or two eggs each year.

Hunting of and trade in the Philippine eagle are now prohibited. The greatest threat to its survival remains the continued loss of its tropical rain forest habitat. At a minimum, selective logging methods should be employed to protect the large nesting trees and leave sufficient tracts of undisturbed forest to support eagles.

In addition, the use of agricultural pesticides needs to be reduced to prevent poisoning of animals at the top of food chains.