Conservation of the Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi
Francis Ogaban
Hampshire High School
Mrs. Yabarra
16 October 2015
Introduction
Eagles are the embodiment of a nation’s pride and honor. They serve as symbolic beasts demonstrating power, strength, and dexterity. However, the most common term associated with these creatures is “majestic.” The Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, is one such creature. Mostly known for being one of the largest eagles in the world, it is acknowledged for sporting an enormous black beak, buttery yellow feet, snowy white abdomen, and creamy brown feathers dressed from neck to tail. Most striking though may be its pale gray-blue eyes that jump out behind the sporadically flared feathers
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For many years, locals referred to the bird as the monkey-eating eagle because of a popular myth that it only fed on monkeys. Its name, Pithecophaga jefferyi, was particularly prearranged to highlight such legend: “Pithecophaga” translates to “monkey-eating” and “jefferyi” serves to acknowledge Jeffery Whitehead, John Whitehead’s father (Ullrich, 2008). Just as its exciting discovery in the 1900s, research today continues to provide substantial growth on the knowledge of the eagle’s origins. In a recent molecular study, the Philippine Eagle was discovered to be more closely related to snake eagles rather than Harpy Eagles and Crested Eagles. It was also discovered that the species is surprising closely related to the Bateleur located in Africa (“Global Raptor Information Network,” 2010). This finding could mean that the Philippine Eagle’s massive size can be attributed to an evolution from a much smaller snake eagle that traveled to the Philippines a long time ago (“Beauty of Birds,” 2011) The dispersal of an ancestral snake eagle initiated by natural range expansions triggered an adaptive radiation which led to the new species of Philippine Eagles being …show more content…
Although it is excessive in size, the eagle is startlingly agile. A combination of speed, power, and agility allows the eagle to be extremely prosperous hunters. They use their superior physical attributes to pick off their preys mid-air or off the forest floor (“The Peregrine Fund”). The diet of a Philippine Eagle mostly consists of flying lemurs and Asian Palm Civets. Occasionally, the Philippine Eagle will eat other mammals, birds, and reptiles depending on where it is situated on an island. Reports have even surfaced claiming eagles eating pigs and small dogs (“Beauty of Birds,”
Bess beetles range in size all the way from 21 millimeters to 80 millimeters. The beetles are named after the French word baiser, which means “to kiss”, due to the fact that they often make a smooching sound with their legs. They have a small horn that protrudes from their head, and use their antennae to drive them forward when experiencing new smells. Though the beetles may look quite menacing, they are surprisingly docile. They enjoy feasting on rotten wood, moss, and adult beetle fecal matter after it has been partially digested by bacteria. A scientific experiment was conducted to test these beetle’s pulling power in relation to their mass. The hypothesis stated,
Bald Eagles are the national bird of the United States. They can grow to be 30-43 inches and have a wingspan of 6-8 feet. Their distinct white head and tail allow spectators to determine which type of bird it is from a distance.
ImageText BoxImageOne of the biggest threats to the environment of Ontario is the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar). The species itself is native to Europe and Asia. How this affects us is by weakening trees across Ontario and North America. The first time the gypsy moth was found in Ontario was 1969. The gypsy moth can be found in southern Canada (Ontario), New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and British Columbia. It is known to weaken trees and the caterpillar form live in trees and during most outbreaks its caterpillar feces would fall from the trees to the ground or even on top of humans. The average Gypsy Caterpillar can grow 5-6 centimeters long. With five pairs of blue spots and six pairs of bright red dots on their back. The female moth are white and can fly on the other hand, the male moth are brown and can also fly. The female have a 5cm wing span but male have a 2.5cm wing span. The gypsy moth usually lives in open forests and other forests and take up at least 20% of the space. The Gypsy moth are about 4cm long, tan coloured and can be located on tree trunks, furniture, and buildings. (OFAH Invading Species Awareness Program, 2012)
But the word condor is derived from the Ecuadorian Quechua word cuntur. The California condor has black feathers with a triangle of white on each wing. The adults have a bald head and on their neck they have a fluffy black ridge of feathers that look like a collar. They grow between 117 to 134 centimeters long and weigh from 17 to 24 pounds. The California condor is the largest flying bird in North America, living only in the south western United States.
"It is known to be a mythical multi-colored bird of Arabia, with a long history of artistic and literary symbolism, the Phoenix is one of a kind. At the end of its five-hundred-year existence, it perches on its nest of spices and sings until sunlight ignites the masses. After the body is consumed in flames, a worm emerges and develops into the next Phoenix.
It was the size of an eagle. Its eyes were not like ordinary birds, ferocious and darting about with suspicion. No, its eyes had a sense of humility over them with a gentleness that only eyes full of wisdom can have. The beak was long, narrow, smooth, and bathed in a burnt orange tint. The feet took a similar shade, but were riddled with crevices, cracks and chinks in the dry skin from which razor like talons protruded. It had a plumage full of brilliant hues of crimson with glints of purple and gold dispersed throughout. Then, as if done with the flick of a switch, this majestic fowl burst into flames, engulfed in a white intense blaze that consumed the entire animal. As swiftly as the combustion began, it ended. All that remained was a heap of smoldering ashes. There was movement in the cinders. A baby bird peaked its head out of the burnt remains. Birthed from the ashes, a phoenix was reborn.
While driving On Rte10 through the town of Hamden what seems to be an ordinary ride can become a scenic view of our nation’s bird. On a tall skinny Birch tree over 40 ft in the air is lives a bald eagle in its natural habitat. In this nest lives a male adult and female adult with an Eaglet. The nest is located in a farming open field along a river bank. This field and river provides the eagles with a source of food. The eagles mostly eat fish, the adult eagle will swoop down to the water and grab a fish all in one motion flying the meal back to the nest to feed its family. The field is posted to prevent people from ruining the habitat, since the natural reproduction of this eagle is very important to its recovery from being endangered. I was able to view this community form the road and was able to watch the nest and occasionally watch the adult eagle fly away most likely looking for food to feed his family. The nest form my view was huge at least 3 feet in diameter perched up about 40 ft high on a birch tree. The surrounding area of the nest was clear of any branches or trees creating a clear access way for the birds to land. Below the nest was a large open field on the bank of an active river.
If puffins are disturbed by humans they will leave their nests and will not come back. This has led to the extinction of puffin colonies in parts of the European coastline.
The species A. afarensis is one of the better known australopithecines, with regards to the number of samples attributed to the species. From speculations about their close relatives, the gorilla and chimpanzee, A. afarensis’ probable social structure can be presumed. The species was named by Johanson and Taieb in 1973. This discovery of a skeleton lead to a heated debate over the validity of the species. The species eventually was accepted by most researchers as a new species of australopithecine and a likely candidate for a human ancestor.
Burton, R. & Kress, S. W., (2010). Bird profiles: American Crow. Audubon North American birdfeeder guide (Rev. ed., p. 150). New York: DK.
The eagle has always been considered a bird that is fierce in nature and is above all.
The first function of the bird as a thematic image is to foreshadow. And the most important foreshadowing of the play is the inevitable murder of the King of Scotland, Duncan, by the Macbeth. It is first seen during the Captain’s dialogue describing the battle between Macbeth and Banquo against Macdonwald. He compared them to “As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion”3. From this phrase, the reversal of the roles can be clearly seen when the sparrow and the hare became the predators of the eagle and the lion became their prey. Another example is seen during Lady Macbeth’s beginning soliloquy, “The raven himself is hoarse/ That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/ Under my battlements”4, the introduction leading to the murder scene of Duncan. The raven, which is the bird that symbolizes death, is the omen that signals Duncan’s doom.
Insects are the most diverse group of organisms on the planet. They occupy most of the habitat in the world. Insects have served as a model group of organisms for tackling many biological queries. Butterflies (Class: Insecta; Order: Lepidoptera) have been used as a model for studies on ecology, development and population dynamics. Most of the species are highly seasonal and some have very restricted habitats. Butterflies are good indicators of climate and help us understand fluctuations in seasonal changes. They require specific ecological conditions for their growth and development. Monitoring butterflies helps us understand the overall diversity of a habitat as they are directly dependent on other factors such as availability of host plants and nectar plants. They also play a very significant role in
del Hoyo, Josep, Andrew Elliott and Jordi Sargatal. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol 1, Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, 1992.
The hornbill has a casque on top of its head, giving it its name. The casque is made of the same material of the bill itself. It is a black bird with a white stomach. The bottom of the wings are white as well. It has white around its eyes. The bird is typically 55-60 cm long. The male is 680-907 g in weight. Those are just a few of the characteristics of the hornbill.