Philippines hawk-eagle nest found in Leyte

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time ever, an active nest of the South Philippine Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus pinskeri) has been documented on Leyte Island.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation said that researchers were able to follow the nesting pair from the moment they began building their nest until their chick successfully took its very first flight.

“For conservationists, this is more than just finding a nest, it is a milestone that offers new hope for the future of this globally endangered bird,” the foundation said.

The South Philippine Hawk-Eagle lives only in a few islands in the central and southern Philippines.

Birdwatchers, researchers and local communities have occasionally seen adults soaring above the forest and young birds after they had already left the nest.

The team saw the female bird incubating a single egg and it hatched two months later in March.

The young hawk-eagle made its very first flight on May 17.

The group stressed how much the new development matters to the community.

“It is also the first time researchers have been able to document the complete nesting cycle of this species, from nest building and egg incubation to hatching and the successful fledging of a chick,” the foundation said.

“Because so little is known about this endangered bird, each observation helps fill important gaps in our understanding of its life in the wild. These findings will provide valuable information for future conservation efforts and help guide the protection of the species and its remaining forest habitat,” they said.