Used to symbolize royal power, from ancient Egypt to the Roman and Napoleonic empires, eagles have appeared on coins, standards, and weaponry. The Philippine monkey-eating eagle is well named for its preference for eating monkeys, particularly macaques. Bluish eyes, a large, sharp, curved beak, and a warlike headdress of spiky feathers, give the Philippine eagle a striking appearance. First described in 1894 in the Philippines, the total wild population of the Philippine eagle is now estimated to be under 200. Raptors are excellent hunters.
Philippine eagles inhabit tropical rain forests and are well-adapted to life in dense foliage.
Despite their great size, they have short, broad wings and a squared-off tail that allows them to rise almost vertically between trees and maneuver with speed and agility through branches and vines. They are adept at snatching monkeys or other mammals or birds from trees. The Philippine eagle also attacks domestic animals such as dogs, pigs, and young goats. Like most big predators, the Philippine eagle requires a large territory for hunting. Philippine eagles also require the tallest trees, those which emerge above the rain forest canopy, for nesting.