The Philippines is a country blessed with an ecosytem that is rich in biodiversity. Many species are only endemic in our archipelago and one of the most-well known is the Philippine Eagle.
Also known as the “Monkey-Eating” eagle, the Philippine eagle is the world’s largest extant bird in terms of length. It has been declared as our country’s national bird.
Also called “Haring Ibon” or “king of birds”, the first sighting of the Philippine eagle was reported in 1896 at the island of Paranas in Samar. Unfortunately, the Philippine Eagle is now considered as a critically endangered species due to deforestation, which resulted in the loss of its natural habitat.
That is why it is really a great news when “Atbalin” was hatched from its parents’ nest in Barangay Linay in Zamboanga del Norte.
“Attraction for Barangay Linay” or “Atbalin” for short, is the fourth eagle to hatch in the forest of Zamboanga del Norte, indicating that the province still has a good forest cover.
Barangay Linay is the natural habitat for a pair of Philippine Eagles, Dionisio and Milia, and they have already raised three hatchlings before “Atbalin”.
The hatchling’s arrival is a welcome addition to the Philippine Eagle population and is seen as a sign of recovery and hope so that future generations can continue to see these majestic creatures sweep the skies of our country.
