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agila1994ss.jpg
Souvenir Sheet - 1994 (Philippines)

 
*The Majestic Philippine Eagle
 
     The Philippine eagle is one of the most well-known birds of the Philippines. It is the *world's largest eagle with an average height of 1 meter and an average weight of 6 kilograms. It has a wingspan of 2 meters which is the largest for its kind. With such a built, it preys on large mammals such as monkeys and civets as well as on large birds like the hornbills and crows. In fact, it is known as the monkey-eating eagle and it is one of the rare types of eagles that feeds on monkeys. It is also one of the most threatened species and it is listed as a critically endangered bird. 
    
     Pithecophaga jefferyi, which is the scientific name of the Philippine eagle, is an animal endemic to the Philippines. The original habitat of the eagle was the rainforest of the Old Philippines. It was thought that they were once widespread throughout the islands of the Old Philippines. Today, they can be found only in Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and a few parts of Luzon where there are forest areas. Estimates of the eagle's population range from a minimum of 100 individuals to a maximum of 500 individuals.
     The loss of habitat is the primary reason for the decline in the number of Philippine eagle. The continuous destruction of the forest remains as the single most important factor that threatens the existence of the eagle. This situation is aggravated by the eagle's breeding and mating behavior. Philippine eagles are monogamous and they live together for the rest of their lives. They breed  every two years. The female lays only one egg and the couple has to take care of the chick for 20 months.
 
     Once fully grown, the chick will look like a powerful bird of prey, which it is. Its massive beak and eyes are bluish gray in color and its head is adorned with light brown crown feathers which complement the dark brown feathers of the upper-side of its body. The lower-side of the body is covered with buffy white feathers. Its thigh and legs are covered with reddish brown feathers, its legs have a yellow color and its talons are black. It is the world's largest eagle, it is majestic and it is one of the national symbols of the Philippines.

National Symbol Of The Philippines
agial1995.jpg
Mint Set, Souvenir Sheet - 1995 (Philippines)

     The need to protect and preserve the Philippine eagle cannot be overemphasized. The loss of the species will be a tragedy for the scientific community, a tragedy for the Philippines and a tragedy for humanity.
 
--------------------
 
*Some experts say it is one of the largest eagles in the world.
 
Table 1

agila2001.jpg

Nature Conservation Souvenir Sheet - 2001 (Philippines)

Profile of the Philippine Eagle

Conservation Status
Critically endangered
Scientific Name
Pithecophaga jefferyi
Type of Bird
Raptor or bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family
Physical Characteristics:
    
     1. Height
 
 
Approximately one (1) meter
     2. Wingspan
Approximately two (2) meters
Range   
Endemic to the Philippines; Found in forest areas of Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and Luzon; Almost extinct in Luzon
Habitat

Primary dipterocarp forest

Population
Between 100 to 500 individuals
Threat
Destruction of the forest

Click Or Press The Underlined Titles To View
 
Table 2

Philippine Eagle On Selected Philippine Stamps (1967-2001)
1967, August 19: Monkey-Eating Eagle (Bird Series, Anti-TB Semi-Postal); Scott No.: B34,  1 stamp from a set of 4 stamps (Semi-Postal Issue / Perforation: 13 1/2  / Denomination: 10s + 5s)
 
1982, June 5: Philippine Eagle (10th Anniversary Of The United Nations Environment Program); Scott No.: 1591,  1 stamp from a set of 2 stamps (Commemorative Issue / Perforation: 12 1/2  / Denomination: P3.20)
 
1991, July 31: Philippine Eagle And World Wildlife Fund For Nature (WWF); Scott No.: 2094-2097, Set of 4 stamps (Special Issue / Perforation: 14 / Denomination: P1.00, P4.25, P5.50 and P8.00)
 
1994, November 8: Philippine Eagle (Rare And Endangered Philppine Bird Series II); Scott No.: 2334,  1 souvenir sheet from a set of 4 stamps and 1 souvenir sheet (Special Issue / Perforation: 14 / Denomination: P12)
 
1995, August 11: The New Philippine National Bird-Philippine Eagle; Scott No.: 2367, Set of 1 souvenir sheet (Special Issue / Perforation: 14 / Denomination: P16)
 
1995, November 2: Eagle (Philippine Flag With National Symbols Series IV); Scott No.: 2215,  1 stamp from a set of 14 stamps (Definitive Issue / Perforation: 14 x 13 1/2  / Denomination: P2)
 
1997, December 5 and 10: Philippine Eagle-High Value A / High Value B; Scott No.: 2506-2508, Set of 3 stamps (Definitive Issue / Perforation: 14 / Denomination: P20 and P30 /  P50)
 
1998, November 20: Eagle (Philippine Centennial); Scott No.: 2575B,  1 souvenir sheet from a set of 6 souvenir sheets (Commemorative Issue / Imperforate / Denomination: P15)
 
2001, February 1: Eagle (Hongkong Stamp Exhibition 2001 and Nature Conservation Stamps);  1 stamp and 1 souvenir sheet from a set of 5 stamps and 5 souvenir sheets (Special Issue / Perforation: 14 / Denomination: P5 and P11)
 

Updated: October 12, 2010
 
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Alex Angara Moises. Advance Thematic Collector. Philippines