Pinsker's hawk-eagle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinsker's hawk-eagle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Nisaetus
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| Species: |
pinskeri
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| Synonyms | |
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Spizaetus philippensis pinskeri Preleuthner & Gamauf, 1998 |
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The Pinsker's hawk-eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri), also called the south Philippine hawk-eagle or Mindanao hawk-eagle, is a cool bird of prey. It is a type of eagle that lives only in the Philippines. You can find it on islands like Leyte, Samar, Negros, Basilan, Bohol, and Mindanao. This amazing bird lives in thick, wet forests, high up in the mountains. Sadly, there aren't many left, and they are in danger because their homes are disappearing and some are hunted.
Contents
What Pinsker's Hawk-Eagle Looks Like
The Pinsker's hawk-eagle is a fairly large bird. It has dark brown feathers on its back and white feathers on its belly. Its head and chest have streaks, and its lower belly has fine bars.
Special Features of This Eagle
Look closely for its long crest of feathers at the back of its head. It also has a distinct stripe on its chin. When it flies, you can see bars on its wings and a fairly long tail with a dark band at the end.
Young Eagles Look Different
Young Pinsker's hawk-eagles are much lighter in color than the adults. They change their feathers as they grow older. This helps them blend in with their surroundings.
Where Pinsker's Hawk-Eagle Lives
This special eagle lives in tropical, moist forests. It prefers highland areas, usually above 1,200 meters (about 4,000 feet) above sea level. It can be found up to 1,900 meters (about 6,200 feet) high.
Its Forest Home
The Pinsker's hawk-eagle likes to live deep inside these forests. It prefers higher elevations compared to other hawk-eagle species. This helps it find its own space and food.
Status and Conservation Efforts
The Pinsker's hawk-eagle is an endangered species. Experts believe there are only about 600 to 800 adult birds left in the wild. The biggest threat to these eagles is habitat loss. This means their forest homes are being cut down or changed.
Helping the Eagles in Captivity
Scientists and conservationists are working to help these birds. At places like the Philippine Eagle Conservation Center, they study the eagles. They learn about their lives to help protect them in the wild.
Pinsker's Hawk-Eagle Life Cycle
Pinsker's hawk-eagles usually lay one egg during each breeding season. The egg takes about 47 days to hatch. Sometimes, it can take a bit longer, up to 49 days. This is similar to how long it takes for the Javan hawk-eagle's eggs to hatch.
Raising the Young Eagle
Unlike the Philippine eagle, which lays an egg every two years, the Pinsker's hawk-eagle lays an egg every year. Both parents help raise the young bird for about five months.
From Nest to Flight
When the young eagle is about five months old, it starts to fledge. This means it's learning to fly. The parents will stop bringing food directly to the nest. Instead, they place it on nearby branches. This encourages the young bird to move out of the nest and practice flying short distances. After learning to fly, the young eagle will leave its parents to find its own territory.
Roles of Parent Eagles
During the incubation period, only the female eagle sits on the egg to keep it warm. The male eagle's job is to bring food to the nest for the female. The male eagle is also responsible for building the nest. He collects twigs and leaves from native trees. He carefully chooses the best materials for a strong, cozy nest.
Breeding in Captivity
In captivity, these eagles can mate several times a day. The breeding season usually starts in early September and goes into October. The courtship, which is when the birds begin to pair up, starts around March.
