Philippine Eagle
Pithecophaga jefferyi
Crowned with shaggy feathers and fierce amber eyes, the Philippine Eagle is a rainforest monarch—and one of the rarest raptors on Earth. Endemic to the Philippines, it requires vast tracts of old-growth forest to survive. Logging and land conversion have left fewer than 400. Conservationists are fighting to preserve its habitat and raise young eagles in protected sanctuaries. Its survival symbolizes the fate of an entire island ecosystem.
Critically Endangered
Population: ~350–400 individuals
Years Until Extinction: 25 years
Habitat
Lowland and montane dipterocarp forests
Main Threat
Habitat destruction & illegal pet trade
Description
A massive eagle with a regal crest, blue-gray beak, and piercing eyes. Its powerful talons and broad wings make it a top predator, yet its forest home is rapidly vanishing.
Wingspan: 7 feet
Diet: Flying lemurs, monkeys, snakes
Nesting: Huge stick nests high in tall rainforest trees
Mating: Aerial chases and duet calls between lifelong mates
The Philippine eagle, an apex rainforest predator, is revered for its shaggy crest and powerful form. The dance reflects its hunting prowess through sharp pivots, swift arm lifts, and stalking postures, conveying a sense of alert intensity and control. The costume is a mid-length dress in brown and cream tones, with layered textures and strong lines suggesting the bird’s rich feathering and commanding silhouette
Despite its fierce look, the Philippine Eagle mates for life—and both parents share chick-rearing duties
Learn the Dance
Choreography Suggestions:
Piercing gaze: sharp head snaps that punctuate each phrase
Strike dive: quick diagonal travel ending in a strong “talon” grab
Crown flare: brief finger fan above the head to suggest the crest
Predatory precision; controlled stillness punctuated by explosive bursts
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Costume Ideas: Cream/brown top with feathered shoulder frills; thin “crest” headband.
Prompt Ideas: Athletic dancer channels Philippine eagle: sharp head snaps, diagonal dive with grabbing arm, brief crown-finger flare; cream/brown feathered shoulders; rainforest canopy look.
