The Adaptation of Animals Specifically the Pithecophaga jefferyi

Pithecophaga jefferyi, or Philippine Eagle is also known as the Monkey- eating Eagle is known as one of the
world's largest, most powerful birds of prey. The Philippine Eagle is known for its distinct features which are its long-
crown feathers, massive dark black bill with a hint of blue, and its two sharp gray- blue eyes. They have a white belly
and underwing, whereas the upper parts are in rich brown color, with pale edged feathers. The long feathers of the
head and neck form a distinctive crest and are dark-brown and cream on the margins. An adult Philippine Eagle can
weigh an average of 6500g with an average wingspan of about two meters. Their species is known to be
monogamous where they only have one mate for their lives unless their mate dies. The Philippine Eagle is known to
be endemic where it can only be seen in the rainforest of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and the majority of the population is
found in Mindanao.

The Philippine Eagle was listed as Critically Endangered last 2010 by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) whereas only 400 pairs were estimated to be left in the wild. The Philippine eagle
was first declared critically endangered in the year 1934. It has been feared that the Philippine Eagle has been close
to extinction for the past 40 years and up to this day. The natural breeding cycle of a Philippine Eagle requires two
years where only an egg is produced every two years if breeding is successful. The Philippine Eagle can live in the
wild for an estimate of 30- 60 years whereas if it’s held in captivity would be 40 years. Data gathered by Bueser last
2003 states that there were 82- 233 pairs in the wild in the island of Mindanao. Only 200 pairs were estimated
according to data gathered by Salvador and Ibanez last 2006. A possible two pair was estimated last 2007 by the
BirdLife International in Leyte and six pairs were estimated in Samar. Habitat loss has been why the population of
the Philippine Eagle has been decreasing year by year mainly by deforestation. The forest has been the eagle’s
only home where they obtain food, mate and nourish their offspring. The disappearance of their habitat greatly
affected their population with human activities like illegal logging and the irresponsible use of resources. Forests
have been cleared to make way for urban and agricultural development. Hunting is also a reason why the
population of the bird has been decreasing. Statistics showed that an estimate of one Philippine Eagle is being killed
every year because of hunting... With the loss of their habitat, the Philippine Eagle go farther from their usual
hunting grounds in search of food to hunt which makes them more exposed to the danger of being hunted. Natural
causes have also caused a decrease with their population like with typhoon Yolanda whereas it has caused a
significant change in the population of the Philippine Eagle.

A foundation named Philippine Eagle Foundation has been established mainly for the purpose of saving the
critically endangered Philippine Eagle. The foundation has established fundraising events for the sole purpose of the
Philippine Eagles. They also have a center for the eagles known as the Philippine Eagle Center where the center
houses 38 Philippine Eagles where they are being captive- bred, and being well taken care of well. They also
rescue and threat injured Philippine Eagles. The Haribon Foundation also has the same sole purpose wherein is it
to protect the population of the eagles and to help increase them with the help of centers. Other partners of the
foundation are the BirdLife International, Toyota Foundation, German International Cooperation (GIZ), Zoological
Society of London-Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) Fellowship. The government also has
taken measures with the alarming decrease of the population of the Philippine Eagle with the help of the Republic
Act No. 6147 which was passed in the year 1970 whereas the law is aimed to protect and preserve the Philippine
Eagle.

A physical adaptation of the Philippine Eagle is its large, power dark claws. It is also known as a talon
whereas it is the primary hunting tool used by the Philippine Eagle. They are able to catch food for their survival. It is
also used as a defensive mechanism. They also use it to climb trees and be able to grip unto things. With their
claws they are able to build up nest in high heights for them to be able to survive. With the use of their large claws
they are able to survive. Without their claws they would not be able to catch their food more easily and most likely
would not be able to survive a long time. Claws have been adapted in order for the Philippine Eagle to survive,
which if it would not have any claws it would hardly survive since it will go through a lot of problems and
complications in order to survive without claws.

Philippine Eagles are territorial which is a behavioral adaptation. They are also non migratory birds and are
solitary birds. Philippine Eagles are territorial because they protect their mating and nesting areas which are very
important for them. A Philippine Eagle would need a territory that has a radius of 7- 13 kilometers in order for it to
survive. Their territory is properly established by the Philippines Eagle based on the food supply available on the
area, a suitable nesting place and far from human civilization to avoid being exposed to dangers of being hunted.
Aerial displays such as mutual soaring are used by the Philippine Eagle to defend their territory and indicate what is
theirs. A noise made by the Philippine Eagle is described as loud and high- pitched which it may be using for its
territorial behavior. The Philippine Eagle has to be territorial for it to protect itself and to flourish and be able to
reproduce. The Philippine Eagle being territorial is an instinct that the eagle has to protect itself and others too.

A physiological behavior of the Philippine Eagle is its avian respiratory system which enables the exchange
of carbon dioxide and oxygen. The respiratory system also plays a big role in thermoregulation or in maintaining the
normal body temperature. They have smaller lungs and nine air sacs where it allows them to still breathe in oxygen
during exhalation. This also helps them breathe at much higher elevations. With the help of this, they can fly around
without having any difficulties in breathing and flying. The respiratory system is adapted to cope up with the demand
of flying. This helped them to navigate through the air with no difficulties and can solely focus on hunting or flying.

The Philippine Eagle plays a very crucial role in the balance of the ecosystem. It helps to regulate species
population and provides protection to all life forms in its territory. The Philippine Eagle has been a symbol of the
Filipino’s strength and bravery in which is ironic since the Philippine Eagle is now Critically Endangered. The
Philippine Eagle is considered as one of our country’s national treasure since it's only endemic to the Philippines
which means that we have to properly take care of them especially now that it is considered at the level of critically
endangered. Losing our Philippine Eagle would greatly affect our country whereas there will be problems in the
ecosystem where in the balance will be off. With their alarming decreasing rate, we should also be focused on them
on how to properly take care of them in order not to lose them and other more species. Due to our human activities,
species like them are also being affected whereas they lose their home or are being killed. Strengthening the law to
protect these species not only the Philippine Eagle but all animals should be a must. Protective measures to all
species should be greatly implemented to stop the decreasing rate of the population and should be increased.
Protecting the Philippine Eagle is not easy but has been a mission by foundations for the past years. They have
been trying their best to protect and we as individuals should also help them to further improve the protection they
have been offering to the eagles.
REFERENCES:

Animal Diversity Web (2014) Pithecophaga jefferyi great Philippine eagle. Retrieved from:
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pithecophaga_jefferyi/

Culture Trip (2020) Philippine Eagle: 11 Facts About The Philippines' National Bird. Retrieved from:
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/philippine-eagle-11-facts-about-the-philippines-national-bird/

Edge (2017) Philippine Eagle. Retrieved from:

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/philippine-eagle/

Ehrlich, P. , Dobkin, D. , Wheye, D. (1998) Adaptations for Flight. Retrieved from:

https://web.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Adaptations.html

Lacuata, R. (2015) Why the Philippine eagle is PH national bird. Retrieved from:
https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/06/05/15/why-philippine-eagle-ph-national-bird

Philippine Eagle Foundation (2019) The Philippine Eagle. Retrieved from:

https://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/the-philippine-eagle

The Peregrine Fund (n.d.) Philippine Eagle. Retrieved from:

https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/eagles/philippine-eagle