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Post by EXO on Mar 4, 2007 14:52:25 GMT 8
One of the most amazing visitors to the Corregidor Inn patio has been a young male Philippine Eagle, which I am told goes by the name HAAGAS. So the story related to me goes, Haagas is one of two chicks handraised in captivity and released upon Corregidor. The other chick, a female, has also survived. At some point, Haagas' right leg has been broken, and he comes down to the hotel patio from time to time, where he is rewarded with fresh meat. He's remarkably tame, and can be approached. The Philippine Eagle Foundation estimates that there are 1000 breeding pairs remaining in the country. Haagas is truly a rare and endangered bird, and everything should be done to protect and preserve him. www.philippineeagle.org/index.htmThe PEF rationale is that there is no action-oriented organization in the country focused on saving the Philippine Eagle and its habitat other than the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF). The Philippine Eagle is ecologically important to people and yet vulnerable to human activities. Conservation of the Philippine Eagle contributes to sustainable development and improves the quality of human life by maintaining biological diversity and environmental health.
The PEF's work helps develop public understanding of wildlife and natural resources issues thereby generating grassroots support for national policy decisions.
The PEF's holistic approach to wildlife management presents a model for replication in the international arena. The PEF facilitates participation by individuals, corporations, non-government organizations, schools and communities through its unique conservation initiatives.
The Philippine Eagle is an important natural and cultural heritage. It is a powerful symbol by which our people can rally around for the conservation of our natural resources.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2007 1:01:05 GMT 8
I'm not a bird expert, but could Haagas be a sea eagle rather than the national bird, the Philippine monkey-eating eagle? I'm quoting hereunder an email communication from the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. Unrelevant portions of the email have been edited out: "Dear Joey I was in Corregidor in May 2006 with members of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the DENR to release Sea-eagles in the area. It was another sad and stupid story. The butterflywatcher mentioned in your forum is a personal friend. She had been very disappointed with other environmental destruction in Corregidor even prior to the cutting of trees. We have tried to introduce a birdwatching program with Sun Cruises but did not get far with our plans as they do not seem interested at all. Anyway, please get in touch with Lydia Robledo at butterflywatcher99@yahoo.com.
Mike Lu President Wild Bird Club of the Philippines" Mr. Lu did not explain why he said "it was another sad and stupid story." I sure hope that some kind of wildlife program for the island can be rationalized.
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Post by EXO on Mar 5, 2007 8:22:38 GMT 8
Joey, Your comment that Haagas may be a Sea Eagle certainly resolves the obvious difference in plumage colour with the photographs of the Philippine Eagles on the Philippine Eagle Foundation page. Thanks to your info, I have discovered a reference to the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. Unfortunately, it's website is down, or has moved, but from the cache I have the following entry concerning white-bellied Sea Eagles... May 31, 2006
Corregidor Island, Manila Bay
WBCP birders: Mike Lu, Ipat Luna & Ixi Mapua My Zoo Foundation members: Gerswin Qua & Mel Tan PAWB reps: Joy de Leon & Dr. Toledo Manila Zoo rep: Dr. Bernardo Trip report and bird list by Mike Lu
The much-delayed raptor release by the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) finally pushed through today. Two years ago, we shared our club bird list data for Subic Bay and Mt Palay-Palay to the PAWB in preparation for wildlife release in these sites. In September 2005, PAWB had requested assistance from theWild Bird Club to purchase leather to make the leash and hood to be used during the raptors' transfer to Corregidor Island instead. The club complied within the week and also supplied the bird list for Corregidor Island. Due to red tape within the government agency, the typhoon-damaged flight cage at the site and the conflicting schedules of the VIP government officials (namely DENR Secretary, Undersecretaries, PAWB director and other VIPs), the release date kept on being re-scheduled. Eventually the raptor release was finally set on May 31 on a date where not one of the VIPS could make it and hence no press coverage for a milestone event.
Nevertheless WBCP members deem it necessary to witness the event. The large flight aviary seemed intact but we were told that one of the 11 White-bellied Sea-eagles died last week during a typhoon. The eagles had been in captivity for more than 2 years (including more than a month spent on Corregidor) and have grown accustomed to humans. The caretakers teased them out of the aviary with fish. Most of the raptors had to be bodily carried out of the cages. Once out of the cages, the eagles begged for more food and stayed around the cages waiting to be fed. We left the area to let the birds finally discover that they are free.
Corregidor Island was bombed out during World War 2, but now the forest has grown back and flourished. We were birding in the heat of the day between 1000 and 1400 and had a total 17 species. Glossy Starlings and Black-naped Orioles dominate the landscape. Emerald Doves were quite easily seen. I was told that more than 40 Brahminy Kites had been released on the island some years back. We were fortunate to see a number of them and hope the sea-eagles likewise dominate the skies soon. My personal highlights, not lifers though, were Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Mangrove Blue Flycatcher and Red Junglefowl. An overnight stay at Corregidor would surely yield much more species including the reported cockatoos.
Birdlist: Brahminy Kite - 10+ Red Junglefowl - 2 Pink-necked Green Pigeon - 2, male and female Zebra Dove - 12+ Emerald dove - 6+ Glossy Swiftlet - common White-collared Kingfisher - 5+, more heard Striated Swallow - 1 Pied Triller - 1 Yellow-vented Bulbul - 6+ Black-naped Oriole - 15+ Golden-bellied Flyeater - 2+, more heard Mangrove Blue Flycatcher -2, male and female Pied Fantail - 1 Asian Glossy Starling - 50+, probably more Olive-backed Sunbird - 1, male Lowland White-eye - 2+
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Post by EXO on Mar 10, 2007 9:30:50 GMT 8
White-Breasted Sea Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster Corregidor is host to one of the region’s most spectacular birds -- the white-breasted sea eagle ( Haliaeetus leucogaster ) -- a bird of prey with a wing span sometimes exceeding 2 m and a weight of up to 4.5 kg. DescriptionAdults are basically black and white under, and grey over the wings, with a white belly. Immatures are mottled pale brown and take 5 years to reach adult plumage. The bare legs and feet are heavily scaled as armour. The soles have tiny spikes to aid in grasping slippery prey. Powerful talons, a large hooked beak and hazel eyes complete the picture. Their eye sight is extremely acute. Sea eagles flap slowly and soar or glide with their wings held in a shallow V. Sea eagles are not actually true eagles (which have feathered legs) but giant kites. DistributionThe species is widely distributed from India to Australia. Mainly coastal, it is also found in many large rivers and lakes. Coastlines, with their many rivers, bays and islands provides ideal habitats. Home range and territoriesAdults are largely sedentary (not migratory) and will defend an area of about 3 km2 (the territory) around the nest against other adults. A larger area, up to 150 km2 (the home range), is also used for hunting but is not defended. Pairs nest at least 2 - 3 km apart, much further where there is little food. Hunting and foodAlmost all hunting is done by a gliding attack from a prominent perch. Sea eagles find it very hard to take off from the water so when hunting fish, eels or penguins they snatch them from the surface or the edge of the beach. Objects up to about half the weight of the eagle can be carried in flight. Many types of fish are eaten, including porcupine fish which are deadly to humans. Birds, such as coots, gulls and shearwaters are also caught. Waterfowl crippled by hunters may be eaten. This may endanger the eagles with lead poisoning. Blue-tongued lizards are preyed on as are mammals as varied as water rats and young ground animals. Carrion is an important food particularly for young, inexperienced hunters. Piracy by eagles is common. Typically they may pursue gannets until a fish is regurgitated. Sea eagles will often scavenge around fishing boats in rivers or near the coast. BreedingMost nests are in large, sheltered trees. Exceptions are on small islands where rocky outcrops may be used. Each season nests are repaired and added to. Old nests may be enormous, up to 4.5 m (14 ft) deep and 2.5 m (8 ft) wide! Nests serve as breeding, feeding and sleeping platforms and act as territorial flags. Pairs mate for life. Courtship never really stops but peaks in early spring when pairs may lock talons and tumble through the air. One or two eggs are usually laid during September in a nest lined with green leaves, mainly for hygiene. Hatching takes 40 - 44 days, but often the first to hatch kills the other. Nestling life is about 95 days after which the fledglings are dependent on their parents for another month or so. Once independent -- mortality is high. If the young eagles survive for a year then they will probably live to breed, at 5 years of age. Some will live for 30 years. Status and conservationOn average each pair will produce less than one young per year (some have none, some two). Outside of the Philippines, the species is secure, due mainly to its diverse breeding and feeding habits and the fact that about 20% of pairs live in reserves. However, there are local threats from trapping, shooting, poisoning by land-owners, tree felling and excessive disturbance of breeding from development and recreational activities. Buffers of at least 250 m should be left around nests.
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Post by Jeffrey Peter on Mar 21, 2008 1:02:13 GMT 8
:D I know who that Philippines Eagle was young male and wow I like see eagle and I was born in Philippines in 1990 and who know me
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Post by EXO on Apr 7, 2008 16:09:57 GMT 8
I asked about the Eagle's absence from the Corregidor Inn when I was last on Corregidor and was told that its body had been found.
It's a case of not knowing what you've got, until its gone.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 1:06:59 GMT 8
I'm afraid I found what was left of one of the Eagle's on Corregidor on my last visit in February, 2008, Hagaas? I was walking the old road in front of the Officers Quarters on Topside, above the old Golf Course. I was just south of the old Spanish Lighthouse in the area where the jungle has been allowed to retake the homes. I found a skeleton with feathers but the head and the claws had been removed. It was the size and color of the eagle I had seen being fed on the Veranda at the Hotel. It was just off the road in the jungle. A sad ending for a noble bird.
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Post by Jerry on May 22, 2008 13:48:28 GMT 8
The picture of the bird perch in the patio is not a Philippine eagle or Monkey-eating eagle, It's a white breasted sea eagle. Philippine eagle is way larger than this with a long tail and large arch bill and crest crown feathers.
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