The Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) is an eagle found in the major islands of the Philippines. It is sometimes treated as a race of the crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela). This species is usually found in forest clearings, open woodlands, and sometimes in cultivated lands with scattered trees. It is endemic to the Philippines. The species is found on most part of the major islands, except for Palawan.
| Philippine serpent eagle | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Spilornis |
| Species: | S. holospilus
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| Binomial name | |
| Spilornis holospilus (Vigors, 1831)
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It is illegal to hunt, capture or possess Philippine serpent eagles under Philippine Law RA 9147.[2]
Description and taxonomy
editEbird describes it as "A fairly large, common raptor of forest and more open wooded areas from the lowlands to the lower mountains. Dark brown with white speckles on the crown and upperparts, rufous-brown below with large white spots. Note the gray cheek and yellow eye. Differs from other raptors in its range by its bare yellow skin between the bill and eye, and in flight by its dark terminal band to the wings and tail. Often gives a whistled “weeeeeuuuu weu weu” in flight, or sometimes just a single note."[3]
This species is monotypic.
Ecology and behavior
editThe bird feeds on amphibians, reptiles and other live prey. Not much is known about its breeding habits. A female was collected with a single egg in its oviducts in April of 2020. [4]
Habitat and conservation status
editIts natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest, montane forest, second growth and culltivated areas up to 2,500 meters above sea level.
The IUCN has classified the species as being of Least Concern as it has a large range and it is common throughout its range and appears to adapt to second growth. Populations are still declining due to habitat loss due to slash and burn farming, mining, illegal logging and habitat conversion, hunting and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade.
It is found in multiple protected areas such as Pasonanca Natural Park, Bataan National Park, Mount Banahaw, Mount Kitanglad. Mount Apo, Pasonanca Natural Park and Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park but like all areas in the Philippines, protection is lax and deforestation continues despite this protection on paper. [5]
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Spilornis holospilus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22695318A93502499. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695318A93502499.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ 11th Congress. "Republic Act No. 9147". Official Gazette of the Philippines.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Philippine Serpent-Eagle - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
- ^ Clark, William S.; Marks, Jeffrey S. (2020). "Philippine Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis holospilus), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.phseag1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ IUCN (2016-10-01). Spilornis holospilus: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22695318A93502499 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t22695318a93502499.en.
External links
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