The in Brief the species critically endangered. Like the California Condor, the Philippine by Sheldon Dingle, Alhambra, California Eagle's only hope may lie in aviculture. I arn at home in Southeast Asia. I like the heat, hUlnidity, flora, fauna, and arrots of the Philippines include especially the people. But my favorite several species kept in avicul­ region of Southeast Asia is the ture including Philippine Philippines. It is extraordinary. Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia Recent oil exploration in the (Red-vented), Blue-naped Philippines has given scientists a better Tanygnathus lucionensis, Great-billed understanding of the origins of the Parrot Tanygnathus megalorhynchos, 7107 islands that make up the nation and perhaps the Mindanao Lorikeet (the nun1her changes with the tide - at Trichoglossus johnstoniae which is very high tide SOlne of theln disappear). seldom seen in captivity. There are a During the ice ages when the number of racket-tailed seas were tnuch lower than now, (Prionituris sp.) and the Philippine many of the now distinct islands were Hanging Parakeet Loriculis philippensis connected by dlY land. These ancient which are not in aviculture as far as I The endangered Philippine Monkey-eating large islands each developed its own know. And how many of you have Eagle is one of the largest eagles in the world. flora and fauna and generally even heard of the beautiful little parrot relnained distinct and separate from called Guaiabero Bolbopsittacus lunula­ the subtly beautiful Pala wan Peacock the other mega-islands. Later, hen tus?I can't even pronounce the name. Pheasant Polyplectron emphanum. the ice melted and the seas rose, the Philippine doves and pigeons are The oddity of this Asian species being lowlands were inundated leaving a lot represented in aviculture too. The two in the Philippines lies in the strange of disconnected smaller islands. Until most commonly seen are the wa y the Asian land masses and the this principle was understood, explor­ Bleeding-heart Pigeon Gallicolumba Australian continent gradually moved ers and biologists were perplexed at luzonica (see the article on page 32) together over the ions. The pheasants how unique faunal regions (natural and the Nicobar Pigeon Caloenis nico­ are Asian while the Philippine units of biodiversity) could be so close barica. There are a number of turtle Islands are part of the island arcs that to one another yet so different in their doves, and over 20 exceedingly were pushed toward Asia by Australia plants and . It has been said beautiful species of fruit doves, very as it moved north. Of course this hap­ that the Philippines are "the Galapagos few of which are kept in aviculture. pened about 30 million years ago and Islands times ten. " Among lny favorite Philippine I don't relnember it clearly. But There are about six types of habi­ birds in aviculture are two commoners Palawan was caught in the middle. It is tat in the Philippines with tl1e popular - the Button Quail (also called Painted really a piece of Asia but is so close to image of the lowland rain forest heing Quail) Coturnix chinensis (see article the other Philippine islands that it has the most con1lnon - used to be, that is . on page 21), and the daddy of all some flora and fauna helonging to Now the original lowland rain forests chickens, the Red Jungle Fowl Gallus both land Inasses. There are no pheas­ are mostly gone, chopped for tim her. gallus gallus. on any other Philippine island. As the elevations rise, the habi­ Another of the ground birds is One of the Philippine's high-pro- tats change until one reaches the file birds is the Philippine Eagle mountain tops like Mt. Isarog where Q) ~ Pithecophaga J~fferyi (also called the the annual average rainfall is 36 feet. (5 § Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle). That is 420 inches of rain, dear friend, 'U l Indeed, it is the national . It is not ten time more than falls on the "wet' (j) ~ for the ordinary backyard aviary but it is Portland Oregon. ~ being kept in captivity by the Philippine The great danger now is the raln­

Cl. Eagle Foundation on the island of pant cutting of the forests. At one time Mindanao. Highly dedicated experts are 950/0 of the Philippines was covered trying frantically to save the species with rain forest. Now the number is from extinction. So far, there have heen seven percent. But there are valiant just two chicks hatch at the Foundation effolts to reverse the trend. And there (the world's first breeding) but there is are many encouraging stories. With the great hope. Indeed, the first chick rain forest lies the fate of the Filipino hatched was named Pag-asa - "Hope." people, and of the birds and anin1als so The Monkey-eating Eagle is extreme?V pou:eiful. Its talons grab and lock so its prey can't escape. In the wild, there are an estin1at­ Inany of us love. FOltunate1y, there is Its massive beak is designed to tear flesh. ed 112 pairs - few enough to consider still Pag-asa - hope. ~

60 Marchi April 2001