Philippine Serpent Eagle
Encyclopedia
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. It inhabits primary and secondary forest. The bird is often seen soaring over clearings and river valleys. The bird feeds on amphibians, reptiles and other live prey. The Philippine serpent eagle is distinguished from other species of serpent eagle by more well-defined spots on the underpants and wings.
On January 18, 2008, a Philippine Serpent Eagle was rescued in a forest
in Barangay Laylaya, Besao, Mountain Province
. It suffered a right-wing gunshot
wound, damaging a bone
(similar to a bird caught at Lake Danum, Sagada in 2000). Another serpent eagle rescued in the Cordillera
died three days after it was brought to the custody of the PAWB years ago.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It is sometimes treated as a race
Race (biology)
In biology, races are distinct genetically divergent populations within the same species with relatively small morphological and genetic differences. The populations can be described as ecological races if they arise from adaptation to different local habitats or geographic races when they are...
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. It inhabits primary and secondary forest. The bird is often seen soaring over clearings and river valleys. The bird feeds on amphibians, reptiles and other live prey. The Philippine serpent eagle is distinguished from other species of serpent eagle by more well-defined spots on the underpants and wings.
On January 18, 2008, a Philippine Serpent Eagle was rescued in a forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
in Barangay Laylaya, Besao, Mountain Province
Mountain Province
Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...
. It suffered a right-wing gunshot
Gunshot
A gunshot is the discharge of a firearm, producing a mechanical sound effect and a chemical gunshot residue. The term can also refer to a gunshot wound caused by such a discharge. Multiple discharges of a firearm or firearms are referred to as gunfire. The word can connotate either the sound of a...
wound, damaging a bone
Bone
Bones are rigid organs that constitute part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals. Bone tissue is a type of dense connective tissue...
(similar to a bird caught at Lake Danum, Sagada in 2000). Another serpent eagle rescued in the Cordillera
Cordillera
A cordillera is an extensive chain of mountains or mountain ranges, that runs along a coastline . It comes from the Spanish word cordilla, which is a diminutive of cuerda, or "cord"...
died three days after it was brought to the custody of the PAWB years ago.