Monkey Eating Eagle

MONKEY EATING EAGLE.

Pithecophaga jefferyi

IDENTIFICATION. The head is cream in colour with a prominent black/blue bill and light eyes. A crest of light brown feathers lays flat on the head giving an impression of a cap. When threatened the crest is held erect.

The abdomen is cream in colour. The back and tops of the wings are brown with buff edging to the feathers. The feathered part of the legs is white with light brown streaks.

DISTRIBUTION. Native to the islands of Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao and Samar. A bird of the Philippine mountain forests.

FOOD. Mammals such as Monkeys. Also birds.

BREEDING. September-May. 1 eggs laid in a large nest in the forest canopy or on mountain slope. Only breeds once every 2 years.

SIZE. 91cm (36ins)

WINGSPAN. 183-213cm (6-7ft)

WEIGHT. 4-9Kg (9-14lbs)

FALCONRY.

Sometimes flown in the UK as a display bird the Harpy Eagle is probably best left to those who really know what they are doing and have access to large tracks of land. If you are thinking of taking up an eagle find an (eagle) experienced Austringer and study hard.

Falconry marks